Life Stories Interviews
A Life Stories Production
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 28, 2025 • 24min
Maria Elena Salinas: Hispanic Voices in American Media
Maria Elena Salinas shares her journey as a Latina journalist, navigating cultural identity, media representation, and the fight for minority empowerment. Reflecting on her time as a reporter, anchor, and host for Noticiero Univision, Salinas discusses the power of truth in a changing media landscape, the importance of Hispanic pride, and the ongoing struggle for diverse voices in media.
Oct 13, 2025 • 28min
Billy Porter: On My Own Terms
Actor, singer, dancer, and three-time Tony Award winner Billy Porter candidly reflects on the experiences that shaped him into a powerful voice among the queer and Black communities. From coming out as gay in a deeply religious community, to breaking through stereotypes and typecasting to perform on Broadway, he shares how he lives with unapologetic pride.
Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 14min
Mercury Rising: How John Glenn Jr. Transformed The Space Race with Historian Jeff Shesol
In this exclusive Life Stories interview, historian and author Jeff Shesol explores John Glenn Jr.’s legacy and his historic Friendship 7 flight. From his small-town upbringing in Ohio to becoming a national hero during the Cold War, Shesol highlights the pivotal roles that Glenn and John F. Kennedy played in transforming America's standing in the space race against the Soviet Union.
Jan 28, 2025 • 1h 49min
Iranian Crown Prince in Exile | Exclusive Interview with Reza Pahlavi on Reclaiming Iran's Identity
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.
Jan 19, 2025 • 29min
Frank Langella: Unlocking Emotion in Acting
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.
Jan 12, 2025 • 34min
David Ferrucci: Leading IBM Watson AI to Jeopardy Win
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.
Jan 5, 2025 • 28min
Suleika Jaouad: Surviving Cancer and Healing Through Art with Jon Batiste
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.
Dec 29, 2024 • 33min
Loretta Ross: A Personal History of Reproductive Justice
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.
Dec 22, 2024 • 29min
Fab 5 Freddy: The Legend Behind the Evolution of Hip Hop
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.
Dec 15, 2024 • 39min
Kris Tompkins: Rewilding & Restoring Earth’s Biodiversity
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.
