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
Feb 13, 2026 • 3h 19min
David Brooks: How To Live A Meaningful Life
David Brooks opens up about the importance of vulnerability, attempting to lose ego, commitment, and reliability as a writer. He explores how American culture has changed over the past 60 years and why trust's been lost in our institutions and each other.
Feb 8, 2026 • 33min
Gary Player: A Life of Golf, Triumph, and Giving Back
Retired Golf champion Gary Player reflects on his life of legacy, sharing his journey from a childhood of hardship in South Africa, to a professional athlete inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame. He shares how he has coped with adversity, determination, and loss to live a life of love and gratitude. “Golf, Grace and Giving Back” is part of The Thread Documentary series by Life Stories, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing inspiring stories on social justice, history, and culture.
Jan 27, 2026 • 25min
Yo-Yo Ma Interview: Finding Connection Through Music
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma chronicles his life as a musician, from traveling the country and performing as a child prodigy, to becoming a 19-time Grammy Winner. Ma shares his passion for anthropology and nature, which has led to Our Common Nature, his initiative to re-connect nature with culture, and his title of United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Jan 12, 2026 • 32min
Ken Chenault Interview: Former American Express CEO on Leadership in the Wake of 9/11
Former CEO of American Express Ken Chenault reflects on his life and career, sharing moments of adversity and lessons from his childhood that have shaped his approach to business: prioritize people first, then profit. Chenault discusses growing up amidst the Civil Rights movement, leading a company in the wake of 9/11, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Dec 11, 2025 • 28min
Laurence Tribe: On Justice, the Supreme Court, and Teaching Obama
Legal scholar Laurence Tribe reflects on his career as a Harvard Law professor teaching U.S. Constitutional Law. Tribe shares stories from when today’s political leaders were his students, including Ted Cruz and Barack Obama, and explains how different interpretations of the Constitution have informed many landmark cases of the Supreme Court.
Nov 26, 2025 • 28min
Murray Fisher: Using Oysters To Save The Hudson River
Conservationist Murray Fisher shares his life and career of protecting New York waterways and ecosystems. He discusses where his deep love for nature originated from, the importance of youth engagement, and the ongoing success of his ecological restoration and conservation projects, which include the Billion Oyster Project and Plan it Wild.
Nov 13, 2025 • 28min
Lee Grant: From Hollywood Blacklist to Oscar Winner
Actress, director, and documentarian Lee Grant reflects on her storied career in Hollywood, from emerging on Broadway in the 1950s and overcoming the Hollywood blacklist, to starting a career as a documentary filmmaker highlighting social issues.
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.
