Oprah’s Master Class: The Podcast

Dr. Condoleezza Rice reveals herself as the woman behind the Washington power player in an intimate and surprising interview. Dr. Rice shares the lessons of her childhood in racially charged Birmingham, Alabama, and how her parents instilled in her a sense of strength and conviction to succeed. She also reveals her candid thoughts on her years in the Bush administration, and what the events of 9/11 and the war on terror have taught her. Dr. Rice reveals how her background, ideals and vision helped shape her and ultimately gave her a front row seat to witnessing history.

Revolutionary surfer, author and model Laird Hamilton shares the lessons he says he’s learned from surfing with passion, enthusiasm and a sense of wonder. Laird is a veteran big-wave surfer who elevated the sport to an art form. He has risked his life to surf the biggest waves in existence, some that are more than 80 feet tall and move 50 miles per hour. Laird describes the first time he rode a giant wave as a mystical experience that inspired in him a fearless awe. Laird shares why he sees the ocean as a teacher: its power connects him with his spirituality and the waves teach him how to stand proudly and how to fall with grace.

Golden Globe-winning, and Oscar-, Grammy-, and Emmy-nominated actress Diahann Carroll has many firsts to her name, including the first African-American woman to win a Tony Award for a leading role and the first African American woman to star in her own primetime television sitcom, “Julia.” Diahann opens up about the prejudices she faced, how she helped create the role of Dominique Deveraux in the television soap opera "Dynasty,” and her battle with breast cancer. Diahann also explains how she learned to ignore the people who discouraged her passion for singing and instead began following her own internal compass.

Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning actor, director, screenwriter and musician Billy Bob Thornton opens up about his family, relationships and success, and shares his advice on how to keep the artist inside of you alive. Billy Bob explains how he dreams about the movies he wants to write, even if he knows they might fail. He says it's more important for him to create films that satisfy the artist inside than to generate an impressive weekend box office. Billy Bob also describes the sadness that has never gone away since his younger brother Jimmy died suddenly of a heart condition. Billy Bob says he’s come to accept that he’ll only ever be “50 percent happy.” He also shares his poignant advice for anyone who has lost a loved one.

Oscar- and Golden Globe-winner Goldie Hawn says she already knew at the age of 11 her goal in life--it wasn't to be a dancer, an entertainer or even an actress. Her goal was simply to be happy. Even from such an early age, this guiding principle has been at the core of Goldie’s most valuable life lessons. When she turned 50, Goldie says she wondered what else she was going to do with her life, and began searching for ways to give back. That's when, she says, she discovered the beauty of getting older: making the world a better place with the wisdom she's accrued over the years. Goldie also discusses her extraordinary career, her famous daughter, Kate Hudson, and her relationship with longtime love, Kurt Russell.

Golden Globe- and Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges made his debut on television as young boy alongside his father, legendary actor Lloyd Bridges, in the television series "Sea Hunt." Throughout his career, Jeff has been applauded for his ability to shine in an array of roles with his "shaggy charm," gaining wide popularity and respect from critics. He has been nominated for an Academy Award seven times for films such as "The Last Picture Show," "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" and “True Grit.” Jeff garnered his first win for his turn as a fading country star in "Crazy Heart," a role that reunited him with his teenage dream of making music and also launched a tour with his band, The Abiders. Jeff shares the joy of returning to music and opens up about his upbringing as a product of Hollywood royalty. Jeff also explains his "aimless" approach to his performances, why he believes in being present and the value of living a happy life.

"Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts opens up about her brave battle with breast cancer and how she uses her diagnosis to help others. She shares her most valuable life lessons, including how to be true to yourself and listen to your inner voice. Robin also reveals the two most influential people she’s ever met.

Legendary journalist Barbara Walters is a 13-time Emmy award winner, an Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Famer and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient whose career is unrivaled. In this rare glimpse into Barbara's personal journey, she details how she got her big break and describes her ascent, from being the first woman to co-anchor "The Today Show" to interviewing every president and first lady since Richard Nixon. She offers the most valuable lessons learned from her five decades in the business. Barbara also explains why she chose to step away from the Emmy-winning daytime show she created, "The View."

Emmy-, Grammy-, Oscar- and Tony-winning actress, TV host and stand-up comic Whoopi Goldberg talks candidly about her childhood in New York City, her most valuable life lessons and her defining screen roles. Whoopi explains how she landed her two most iconic roles: Celie in "The Color Purple" and Oda Mae Brown in "Ghost." She shares how she learned to accept success and open up doors of opportunity in her life. Whoopi also describes the moment she made peace with her mother’s death.

Creator and producer of “Saturday Night Live,” Lorne Michaels discusses the landmark series that changed television and comedy forever. Lorne shares what he's learned from being at the helm for more than 25 years, and his thoughts on the power of laughter and taking risks. He reflects on the importance of changing with the times and the value of comedy as a political tool. Lorne also discusses the tragic loss of “SNL” cast members John Belushi and Chris Farley.

Actor, producer, writer and director Tyler Perry discusses his difficult childhood, his struggles as a playwright and his path to becoming a media mogul. Despite enduring emotional, physical and sexual abuse as a child, Tyler says he always knew he would grow up to be somebody. Tyler credits God and his mother’s love for guiding him along the way, and discusses his rocky relationship with the man he calls his father, despite lifelong suspicions that he isn’t Tyler's biological dad. Tyler also talks about becoming a parent at the age of 44 and how fatherhood has shifted his life forever.

Award-winning journalist and news anchor Diane Sawyer opens up about her career, her tireless curiosity and what fuels her passion. Diane talks about the biggest lesson her father taught her and what she learned from working in the Nixon White House during his resignation. She also shares an idea that she says can truly spark lasting change.

The late poet, author, icon and activist Dr. Maya Angelou speaks about her creative process, the power of words and how she overcame a traumatic childhood. Dr. Angelou says that in order to be the best human being you can be, you must follow one simple directive: "Just do right." She also discusses what it felt like to stand side-by-side with leaders of the civil rights movement. Dr. Angelou’s most notable work, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,” in on TIME magazine’s list of the “100 Best Non-Fiction Books of All Time.”

Berry Gordy Jr. forever changed the music scene with a new sound he called Motown Records. Under Berry’s guidance, the Motown record label pumped out #1 hits for The Jackson 5, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops and Smokey Robinson. Berry talks about his childhood growing up in Detroit, his love affair with Diana Ross and how he turned $800 and a small Detroit studio into Motown's first headquarters.

Motown legend and seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight reflects on coming of age in the music business, the harsh reality of touring during the 1950s in the segregated South, and finding her own voice late in her career. Gladys also explains how she's finally come to understand now, with her fourth husband, what marriage truly means. In 1996, Gladys Knight & the Pips were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Gladys is on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”

R&B superstar Usher Raymond IV catapulted from breakout teen performer to multi-platinum music sensation. Usher details how he dealt with fame at a young age and the role that family has played in shaping his career and life along the way. Usher is an eight-time Grammy winner and has seen his albums go platinum more than 65 times over the course of 20+ years. Usher shares why he reconnected with the father he barely knew only a short time before his unfortunate death. He discusses what it meant for him to work with his mother as his manager and why they amicably parted ways. Usher shares what he learned from both his marriages and reflects on the dangers of being a young black man in today's world. Usher says that unconditional love and doing something you're passionate about are the real secrets to a lifetime of happiness.

In Part 2 of Oprah Winfrey’s “Master Class” discussion, she shares how “The Oprah Winfrey Show” started and how it healed her. Oprah also explains why she believes she was cast in the movie “The Color Purple.” Oprah offers spiritual lessons she’s learned about finding your purpose, listening to the universe and why our lives matter.

In Part 1 of Oprah Winfrey’s “Master Class” discussion, Oprah traces her extraordinary life story, from her tumultuous childhood through her early days in television. Oprah offers spiritual lessons she’s learned along the way about finding your purpose, listening to the universe and why our lives matter.

Academy Award-nominated and Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress Sharon Stone opens up about her illustrious career, fighting to survive a brain aneurysm and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way. Sharon is known for her iconic beauty and indelible roles in "Basic Instinct" and Martin Scorsese’s "Casino." Sharon shares her thoughts on aging in Hollywood: “I don't believe that being 19 or 20 or 25 or 30 or 35, that any of these moments are 'the moment' of ultimate beauty," she says. In 2001, Sharon was knocked over with a pain so severe, she felt as if she had been shot in the head. After surviving the brain aneurysm, Sharon had to relearn how to walk, talk, hear and write. She says she lost her career, marriage and custody of her child in the process. Though it was the darkest period in her life, Sharon believes that starting over actually made her life richer and showed her how to stay in a place of gratitude.

Before he became a U.S. congressman, John Lewis was one of the pioneers of the civil rights movement. John reflects on his life of activism, his friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and offers wisdom for the ongoing fight for justice and equality. By the time he was 18, John was participating in lunch-counter sit-ins to protest segregation. Eventually, John rode with the brave Freedom Riders on buses through the deep South, spoke at the famous March on Washington, led the historic Selma to Montgomery march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and was in the room when President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, John is a congressman from Georgia who continues his fight for civil rights, most recently leading sit-ins on the House of Representatives floor in favor of immigration reform and gun control. John says he still believes in non-violence, and says it is his obligation to pass on this tradition to a new generation of young activists, so that we may never go backward and repeat the mistakes of the past.