In Depth With Graham Bensinger

Legendary film director Ron Howard remembers his father, who doubled as his acting coach. Plus, Ron remembers his time on the Andy Griffith show and the warm embrace of a cast reunion nearly 20 years later that validated his childhood emotions.

In this week’s motivational podcast, we look back on a clip from our 2012 interview with Kobe Bryant where he talks about playing against Michael Jordan and the best advice Jordan gave him. Bryant also looks back at his Game 2 loss to the Celtics and driving around for two hours after the game, figuring out how he would help the Lakers win.

Russell Simmons co-founded arguably the greatest hip-hop label of all time in 1984 with Def Jam Records. The company guided the careers of groups like Run-DMC, Beastie Boys and Public Enemy, plus rappers Jay-Z, Ja Rule and Kanye West. But Simmons stepped down from his businesses and charities in 2017 following sexual assault allegations by several women. Graham travels to Bali, Indonesia to see what Simmons’s life is like now, living in a vegan wellness resort. Simmons discusses his early business success, responds to the allegations, and explains what has caused a dispute over hundreds of millions of dollars with his ex-wife.

Joe Thomas highlights what went wrong during Johnny Manziel’s time with the Cleveland Browns and shares a story of when he had to introduce himself to the Brown’s fifth-string QB during a regular season game.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar walks us through the goals of his foundation, which was created to bring together people and institutions who are passionate about effecting social change. Plus, we travel with Tendulkar to see the impact the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation will have on India’s youth for generations to come.

Jake Paul has disrupted the world of boxing as he continues to build his fight resume. The YouTube sensation turned professional pugilist remembers finding fame in a flash and how he lost everything - friends, fans and millions - just as quickly after his brother Logan's controversial video. Paul candidly reveals that being “canceled’ led to heavy drinking and suicidal thoughts and discusses how he dug himself out of despair.

Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre said his job was to help the Packers win games, not take Aaron Rodgers or anyone else under his wing.

Shaquille O’Neal discusses fulfilling a promise to his mom and returning to LSU to graduate from college, getting his masters of business and doctorate, plus, Shaq shares his latest goal: pursuing a law degree.

Legendary Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson invites Graham to Canton, Ohio, for his 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement. Later, we rejoin the first-ballot Hall of Famer at his home in Detroit, where he and his wife Brittney discuss their then-strained relationship with Lions’ ownership, a budding cannabis business and family life raising three boys.

Comedian Nikki Glaser walks us through the ebbs and flows of her long-term relationship with her boyfriend, and her request for him to entertain experiences with other women and her admission that she’s found “the one.”