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© A Life Stories Production
Description
Life Stories is a nonprofit that creates and distributes documentary films and educational resources about people whose lives inspire meaningful change. Its flagship series, The Thread, is a documentary interview series in which exceptional individuals share the different paths they have taken to lead meaningful lives. New episodes of The Thread will premier through January '25. The series features interviews with Gloria Estefan, Martin Sheen, Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander, Tony Hawk, Katie Couric, Mitt Romney, and other notable figures.
Learn more at LifeStories.org.
Learn more at LifeStories.org.
35 Episodes
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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 life, the challenges of leadership in exile, and his enduring vision for a free, secular, and democratic Iran.
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.
Critically acclaimed poet, Joy Harjo, reminisces on her life and upbringing which culminated in her appointment as US Poet Laureate from 2019-2022. Known for her reflective poetry focusing on language, mythology and remembrance, Harjo discusses her relationship to storytelling and creativity and how it has impacted her life.
James Cromwell, renowned for his roles in Succession and Babe, shares candid stories of his personal journey and the impact of his political beliefs on his career. From growing up in Hollywood to his experiences participating in the civil rights and anti-war movements, discover more about Cromwell’s successful career.
In this episode of The Thread, you’ll meet Father Greg Boyle who, inspired by his friend Cesar Chavez’ lifelong commitment to non-violence, has helped hundreds of thousands of young people transform their lives through compassion and unconditional love. In the days of rioting that followed the 1992 acquittal of the Los Angeles police officers who brutally beat Rodney King, Father Boyle founded Homeboy Bakery, a not-for-profit business that gave gang members an opportunity to find employment. More than thirty years later, Homeboy Industries is now the largest gang rehabilitation program in the world, offering an "exit ramp" for more than 10,000 men and women a year.
Acclaimed author Betty Rollin looks back on her extraordinary life in this poignant episode of The Thread. In the last interview she gave before making the decision to die by assisted suicide at the age of 87, Rollin vividly recalls stories from her award-winning career in acting, journalism, broadcasting, and then as the author of First, You Cry, her groundbreaking book on her personal battles with breast cancer which later became a made-for-television movie starring Mary Tyler Moore. Despite its many tragedies, Rollins describes a joyous life that was always sustained by humor. She is often quoted as saying "cancer improved my taste in men." To the end, Betty Rollin was a role model for how to live life on your own terms.
Jason Alexander is best known for his portrayal of the culturally iconic character of George Costanza on television’s Seinfeld. In this episode of The Thread you’ll meet the real Jason Alexander, a thoughtful, articulate man who couldn't be more different than the insecure, muddle-headed Costanza. The one trait they share is the ability to make us laugh about life’s all-too frequent absurdities. However, unlike the fictional Costanza, Jason Alexander is intentionally funny. He has a deep understanding of the importance of humor as a crucial tool for surviving, and even thriving, in the face of those absurdities – something he traces back to his Jewish heritage. Alexander has a gift for storytelling; without the need of a script he speaks wisely from both his head and his heart.
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