Oprah’s Master Class: The Podcast

Standup comic, TV host, radio host and best-selling author Steve Harvey's journey to success has been anything but easy. Steve discusses the highs and many lows, including years of homelessness, that ultimately paved his road to stardom. Today, Steve Harvey is a household name, but this "Original King of Comedy” didn't even realize he wanted to be a comedian until he was in his late twenties. Before that, Steve had a 9-to-5 job and was married with children. The first time he went to a comedy club, he signed up on a whim to perform at an open mic event. Everything clicked at that moment and the next day, he quit his job. In the most tumultuous period of Steve's life, he found himself estranged from his family and living out of his 1976 Ford Tempo. When he was just about ready to throw in the towel, Steve got the call to appear at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. He managed to scrape together the airfare and get to the show, and the rest is history. Since then, Steve has branched into nearly every aspect of entertainment, writing several New York Times bestsellers and hosting his own long-running radio show, his own daytime talk show, the beloved game show Family Feud, multiple primetime shows and even the Miss Universe Pageant. Throughout all his successes, Steve says he has used failure as a learning experience.

Despite many obstacles and challenges, Reba McEntire used the lessons she learned throughout her life to find her own unique voice and go on to become one of the best-selling female country artists of all time. Before she was the Queen of Country, Reba grew up on a ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma, a town with a population of 18. Growing up on a ranch meant that, early on, Reba learned the value of hard work and doing the job right. This work ethic stayed with her from her early days singing at rodeos to the stellar success to come. Reba's journey has taught her many things, and sometimes the lessons were hard-won. In 1991, when eight of her band members were killed in an airplane crash, Reba learned just how precious life is and how important it is to cherish each day. Reba reveals three traits, or "bones," you should have in life: a wishbone because you need goals for yourself; a backbone, which is your drive because it helps you to make things happen; and a funny bone because a sense of humor is key to living a fulfilled life. On top of her tremendous success as a country musician, she's had an acting career in Hollywood and a starring role in the Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun." And all along, Reba remembered the words of her father, who said that "it's the getting there" that matters most.

At over 7 feet tall, Basketball Hall of Famer and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal was born to play hoops, but that doesn't mean it came easy. Shaquille talks about his life and the lessons he's learned in his journey from 20-year-old draft pick to seasoned statesman of the game and iconic star. He explains that even though he was always a big guy (6'9" by age 14), he wasn't always the natural athlete everyone expected him to be. Shaquille made a lot of mistakes along the way and had to learn how to focus and work extremely hard to become a dominant force on the court. As a Los Angeles Laker, Shaquille's legendary partnership with Kobe Bryant helped bring the team to four NBA Finals in five years. Shaquille leaned on his loving mother and disciplined stepfather, who shaped and guided him every step of the way. Shaquille opens up about the depth of his mother's love and devotion, calling her his "best friend." He says the discipline instilled by his Army sergeant stepfather, Phillip Arthur Harrison (the man he considers to be his father), was key. Through Phillip's tough lessons, Shaquille learned how to be a leader and never be satisfied with the achievements he already had.

Musician, actor and global superstar Justin Timberlake is one of the most celebrated entertainers of his generation. From *NSYNC to "SexyBack" to his two-part album, "The 20/20 Experience," and his most recent release, "Man of the Woods," Justin has spent his career defying the odds. The singer shares never-before-told stories about his childhood, talks about his musical influences and looks back on his most valuable life lessons. He reveals his reasons for leaving boy band *NSYNC and why it was difficult to say goodbye. Justin also advises how to find your voice, how to break the mold and how to hold on to your ambition. Justin has won 10 Grammys, won four Emmys, performed at two Super Bowl halftime shows, starred in more than 20 movies and sold nearly 60 million singles around the world. He is currently on his worldwide Man of the Woods tour.

Multiple-Grammy-winning musician, songwriter and producer Alicia Keys discusses the trajectory of her personal life and career. A classically trained pianist, Alicia was composing songs by age 12 and was signed to a professional recording deal at 15. Since then, Alicia has sold more than 35 million albums, won 15 Grammys and 17 NAACP Image Awards. Here, the artist talks about getting bitten by the singing bug; following her passion; being a wife to her husband, Swizz Beatz, and a mother to her son Egypt; and letting go of the anger she had toward her father. She reveals that when success happened for her, it hit like a whirlwind. Alicia says that between a rigorous touring schedule and media demands, she was starting to buckle from the stress. To cope, she took three weeks off and went on a trip that changed her life forever. Alicia shares the lessons she learned about finding herself on that pivotal trip to Egypt.

Rapper, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur and hip-hop mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter charts his unlikely rise from the Brooklyn projects to superstardom, sharing what he's learned along the way. Since 1996, the 21-time Grammy winner has dominated an evolution in popular culture, with more than 35 million records sold and 14 number one Billboard hits (second only to the Beatles). Candid, raw and real, Jay-Z offers personal revelations about integrity, failure and why knowing your truth is everything. He reflects on the challenges of growing up without a father and how they made their peace before his father's death. The entertainer offers his thoughts on the healing power of hip-hop and why we all must search for our own truth. Jay-Z says, "Belief in oneself and knowing who you are, I mean, that's the foundation of everything great." Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé, kicked off their On the Run II stadium tour Wednesday, June 6, 2018, in Cardiff, U.K., with stops in 15 cities across the U.K. and Europe. The 21-date North American leg begins July 25, 2018, in Cleveland.

This is a special preview of the brand-new podcast, “Oprah’s Master Class: The Podcast.”Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson started his career as a professional wrestler and is now an actor, producer and father. Dwayne shares deeply personal stories about his life, from his humble beginnings all the way through his blockbuster movie career. For years, Dwayne says, he and his parents lived paycheck to paycheck, moving to a different city every time his dad, a professional wrestler in the '80s, got a new gig. As a high school student, Dwayne started getting into trouble. He was arrested for everything from fighting and stealing to forging checks. Nevertheless, Dwayne says, he was able to start changing his life for the better when he was 16 years old. After playing football for four years at the University of Miami, Dwayne was passed over by the NFL. Although he played for the Canadian Football League for a short time, he was ultimately cut from his team, the Calgary Stampeders. At 23, Dwayne found himself living in his parents' small apartment, battling depression. How he was able to leave his parents' home and eventually become one of the biggest names in Hollywood is a story that is as amazing as it is inspirational. To date, Dwayne's films, such as "Jumanji," "San Andreas" and the "Fast and Furious" franchise, have earned a combined box office totaling more than $3 billion. His current movie, "Skyscraper," is in theaters now.

Hear the greatest life lessons of some of the most respected and renowned actors, musicians, public figures and athletes. Handpicked by Oprah, these luminaries reveal their lives with candor and insight — in their own words. Listen as Jay -Z, Justin Timberlake, Ellen Degeneres, Shaquille O’Neal, Reba McEntire, Dwayne Johnson and Jane Fonda, (just to name a few), share what they’ve learned about life and their own insights into their personal stories.