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Leena Sanzgiri Leena Sanzgiri is a Senior Producer in Programming and showrunner of The Limits with Jay Williams podcast.
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Leena Sanzgiri

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Tuesday

Amanda Seales on Black Hollywood, therapy, and authenticity

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The Limits with Jay Williams

Amanda Seales on Black Hollywood, therapy, and authenticity

On this week's episode of The Limits, Jay speaks with comedian Amanda Seales. Formerly known as "Amanda Diva," she has worn many hats in entertainment: acting, singing, hosting, and stand-up.

Amanda Seales on Black Hollywood, therapy, and authenticity

Listen · 37:59
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Tuesday

Magic Johnson on basketball, business, and being the face of HIV

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Magic Johnson on basketball, business, and being the face of HIV

On this week's episode of The Limits, Jay speaks with the legendary Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Often called the greatest point guard in NBA history, Magic earned five titles over the course of 13 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers – and changed the nature of the game, too.

Magic Johnson on basketball, business, and being the face of HIV

Listen · 38:29
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Tuesday

Cari Champion on the power of Black women in sports—including herself

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Cari Champion on the power of Black women in sports—including herself

On this week's episode of The Limits, Jay speaks with his longtime friend and former colleague, Cari Champion. Cari has hosted flagship ESPN shows like First Take and SportsCenter, and currently hosts her own podcasts, Naked with Cari Champion and The Brownprint.

Cari Champion on the power of Black women in sports—including herself

Listen · 34:09
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Tuesday

Dave Zirin on the risks and rewards for the activist athlete

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Dave Zirin on the risks and rewards for the activist athlete

This week on The Limits, Jay talks to author and editor Dave Zirin about the intersection of sports and politics. Dave has written 11 books on these topics, covering the many ways that activist athletes have unveiled larger systemic issues of racism and injustice in America.

Dave Zirin on the risks and rewards for the activist athlete

Listen · 44:22
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Tuesday

Stephen A. Smith on redefining sports broadcasting

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Stephen A. Smith on redefining sports broadcasting

On this week's episode of The Limits, Jay talks to his ESPN colleague and longtime friend, Stephen A. Smith. The First Take co-host and network star has reinvented how sports, politics, and candor can go together on the air. As one veteran executive told him shortly after his 2003 ESPN audition, "It was the greatest audition I have ever seen in the history of this business."

Stephen A. Smith on redefining sports broadcasting

Listen · 41:46
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Tuesday

Tracy Oliver on navigating Hollywood by embracing the unexpected

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Tracy Oliver on navigating Hollywood by embracing the unexpected

Hollywood powerhouse Tracy Oliver sums up her career simply. "When people go right, I always tend to go left." She wrote the hit 2017 film Girls Trip, becoming the first Black woman to pen a movie that grossed over $100 million at the box office. On today's episode of The Limits, Tracy tells Jay how she has navigated her biggest Hollywood successes, from an eight-figure deal with Apple, to creating and executive producing the Amazon series, Harlem.

Tracy Oliver on navigating Hollywood by embracing the unexpected

Listen · 48:07
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Tuesday

Desus and Mero on the Wild West of media

Desus Nice and The Kid Mero. The comedy duo recently parted ways professionally. Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR hide caption

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The Limits with Jay Williams

Desus and Mero on the Wild West of media

On this week's episode of The Limits, Jay looks back on his conversation with a recently split, beloved comedy duo. For years, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero lived the lives of many struggling New Yorkers: juggling multiple odd jobs, battling roaches, and just trying to make ends meet in the Bronx. But they also spent plenty of time online, where their constant back and forth on Twitter was so funny that followers demanded they make a podcast.

Desus and Mero on the Wild West of media

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Tuesday

Presenting 'The Limits': Colman Domingo on success, grief and powerful characters
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It's Been a Minute

Presenting 'The Limits': Colman Domingo on success, grief and powerful characters

In this episode from our friends at The Limits with Jay Williams, host Jay Williams speaks with Colman Domingo, the ultimate character actor, known for stealing scenes in films like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Selma and If Beale Street Could Talk. He embodies every character he takes on, most recently earning an Emmy nod for his role as father-figure Ali to Zendaya's Rue on HBO's Euphoria.

Presenting 'The Limits': Colman Domingo on success, grief and powerful characters

Listen · 42:22
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Tuesday

Colman Domingo on his Emmy nod, overcoming grief and the power of character actors

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Colman Domingo on his Emmy nod, overcoming grief and the power of character actors

On today's episode of The Limits, Jay speaks with Colman Domingo, star of stage and screen. He's the ultimate character actor, known for stealing scenes in films like Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Selma, and If Beale Street Could Talk. He embodies every character he takes on, most recently earning an Emmy nod for his role as father-figure Ali to Zendaya's Rue on HBO's Euphoria.

Colman Domingo on his Emmy nod, overcoming grief and the power of character actors

Listen · 44:02
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Tuesday

Meet the mogul behind the rise of Mariah Carey, Will Smith and Nas

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Meet the mogul behind the rise of Mariah Carey, Will Smith and Nas

In this week's episode of The Limits, Jay talks to Steve Stoute, a music executive responsible for shaping the careers of the biggest stars in recent memory. Nas, Mariah Carey, Will Smith...Steve Stoute's resume rivals any of the biggest players in the industry.

Meet the mogul behind the rise of Mariah Carey, Will Smith and Nas

Listen · 40:00
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Tuesday

Dapper Dan on hip-hop and fashion, Harlem history and constant reinvention

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Dapper Dan on hip-hop and fashion, Harlem history and constant reinvention

On today's episode of The Limits, Jay talks to legendary fashion designer, Dapper Dan. For over five decades, "Dap" has revolutionized the way hip-hop and fashion have influenced each other, dressing the likes of Eric B. and Rakim, LL Cool J and Salt-N-Pepa. He also always makes sure everything goes down in his native Harlem, where Jay met up with him.

Dapper Dan on hip-hop and fashion, Harlem history and constant reinvention

Listen · 41:44
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Tuesday

Mike Krzyzewski on becoming Coach K, mental health and retirement

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Mike Krzyzewski on becoming Coach K, mental health and retirement

On today's episode of The Limits, Jay sits down with his mentor: the all-time great, Duke college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, better known as Coach K. For Jay, this is the man who helped him channel his inner rage and insecurities as a teenager into reaching the ultimate heights of college basketball. He was also one of Jay's biggest supports after Jay's career-ending accident.

Mike Krzyzewski on becoming Coach K, mental health and retirement

Listen · 35:39
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Tuesday

Mark Cuban on diversity in sports and reforming American health care

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Mark Cuban on diversity in sports and reforming American health care

We're in instant replay mode this week on The Limits, revisiting Jay's conversation with billionaire tech mogul Mark Cuban.

Mark Cuban on diversity in sports and reforming American health care

Listen · 34:21
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Tuesday

Ghetto Gastro's Jon Gray On His Journey From Hustler To Food Mogul

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The Limits with Jay Williams

Ghetto Gastro's Jon Gray On His Journey From Hustler To Food Mogul

When New York multi-hyphenate Jon Gray set it upon himself to bring the Bronx to the world through food, he faced two battles: establish a successful business at the tail end of a recession, and overcome the high-end culinary world's historically white gaze.

Ghetto Gastro's Jon Gray On His Journey From Hustler To Food Mogul

Listen · 33:24
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Tuesday

Soccer star Megan Rapinoe opens up about achieving equal pay and the next World Cup

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Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR; Photo by Karina Matrias

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Soccer star Megan Rapinoe opens up about achieving equal pay and the next World Cup

U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe is of course a champion on the field, but off the field, she's a champion for the causes that matter. She has long been one of the biggest voices advocating for equal pay in the U.S. Soccer Federation, which was historically reached via collective bargaining agreements this month.

Soccer star Megan Rapinoe opens up about achieving equal pay and the next World Cup

Listen · 36:52
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Tuesday

Kelly Rowland On Being the Ultimate Working Mom

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The Limits with Jay Williams

Kelly Rowland On Being the Ultimate Working Mom

In your mind, Kelly Rowland might be the teenager of Destiny's Child fame, or the solo artist with dance floor anthems like "Commander." But these days, Kelly's much more than a pop star. She's an entrepreneur, philanthropist, writer and mother of two beautiful children. She recently published a children's book called Always with You, Always with Me, her ode to working moms.

Kelly Rowland On Being the Ultimate Working Mom

Listen · 32:51
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Tuesday

Michele Roberts on Black Women's Leadership In The Courts And The NBA

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Michele Roberts on Black Women's Leadership In The Courts And The NBA

Michele Roberts grew up watching the NBA on her TV, but she never imagined she would one day be a trailblazing executive for the league. After Michele was named executive director of the NBA Players' Association (NBPA), she became the first woman to hold this position, and the first woman to lead a major sports union in North America.

Michele Roberts on Black Women's Leadership In The Courts And The NBA

Listen · 32:10
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Tuesday

Twitter Executive TJ Adeshola On Building Black Spaces In Tech

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Twitter Executive TJ Adeshola On Building Black Spaces In Tech

TJ Adeshola has been changing the game in sports media and tech for years. The Twitter Global Head of Content Partnerships got his start at ESPN, where he was grateful to receive guidance and opportunity from several Black mentors.

Twitter Executive TJ Adeshola On Building Black Spaces In Tech

Listen · 30:20
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Tuesday

Wu-Tang's RZA on Redefining Hip-Hop & Building Generational Wealth

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Wu-Tang's RZA on Redefining Hip-Hop & Building Generational Wealth

Hip-hop producer RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan always knew he was going to be one of the greats. And believing it was his first step to achieving legendary status.

Wu-Tang's RZA on Redefining Hip-Hop & Building Generational Wealth

Listen · 36:21
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Tuesday

Chef Marcus Samuelsson Says Good Food Is A Civil Right

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Chef Marcus Samuelsson Says Good Food Is A Civil Right

Chef Marcus Samuelsson knows that the key to being a good chef is a lot like being a good athlete. You get up every day and keep pushing yourself.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson Says Good Food Is A Civil Right

Listen · 30:05
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Tuesday

Niecy Nash Is No One's Supporting Actress

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Niecy Nash Is No One's Supporting Actress

In her own words, Niecy Nash has made it "from the hood to Hollywood." As she closes out her leading role in Claws, Niecy tells Jay about her early days in Hollywood with clarity–and hilarity.

Niecy Nash Is No One's Supporting Actress

Listen · 30:46
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Tuesday

Bobby Hundreds On Setting Trends in Streetwear and Web 3.0

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Bobby Hundreds On Setting Trends in Streetwear and Web 3.0

Bobby Hundreds is a trendsetter, and he believes if you give yourself permission you can be too. As founder of the iconic streetwear brand The Hundreds, he's been at the forefront of design for decades, and in this episode of The Limits he tells Jay how he does it.

Bobby Hundreds On Setting Trends in Streetwear and Web 3.0

Listen · 32:28
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Tuesday

Mark Cuban on Diversity in Sports, Reforming American Health care and the Presidency

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Mark Cuban on Diversity in Sports, Reforming American Health care and the Presidency

Whether it's the NFL or the NBA, health care policy or America's two-party political system, Mark Cuban believes that when you buck tradition you begin to grow.

Mark Cuban on Diversity in Sports, Reforming American Health care and the Presidency

Listen · 32:47
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Thursday

Brian Flores on Taking a Stand Against the NFL

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Brian Flores on Taking a Stand Against the NFL

Brian Flores is not messing around. The former Miami Dolphins head coach was fired last month, and had his eyes set on the top job with the New York Giants. But a misdirected text from New England Patriots general manager Bill Belichick convinced Flores, who is Black and Latino, that the hiring process was rigged against him, and that race was a major factor. He responded to the NFL by filing a class-action lawsuit on Tuesday. He was one of only three Black head coaches in the NFL at the time of his firing, in a league that has a majority of Black players. The lawsuit accuses the league of systemic racism and discriminatory hiring practices. It's made for a whirlwind 48 hours for Flores, who did not come to the decision to take legal action lightly. And it's arguably a louder stand than when Colin Kaepernick took his knee and paid the price. In this episode of The Limits, host Jay Williams sits down with Flores to talk about the change he hopes to inspire in the NFL, and the sacrifices he's willing to make to see that change take flight. For sponsor-free episodes, weekly bonus content, and more, subscribe to The Limits Plus at plus.npr.org/thelimits. Follow Jay on Instagram and Twitter. Email us at thelimits@npr.org.The Limits is produced by Karen Kinney, Mano Sundaresan, Leena Sanzgiri, Barton Girdwood, Brent Baughman, Rachel Neel and Yolanda Sangweni. Music by Ramtin Arablouei. Our executive producer is Anya Grundmann. Special thanks to Charla Riggi and Erin Register.

Brian Flores on Taking a Stand Against the NFL

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