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The Limits with Jay Williams Today, the art of celebrity doesn't look like it used to. Now, it's all about betting on yourself and expanding your personal brand—sometimes even beyond your comfort zone. Few understand the art of rebounding your life better than Williams, now an author, entrepreneur and ESPN host. Each week, he'll go deep with heavy-hitters from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and pop culture to understand the principles of faith, vision, and grit they live by in order to see past doubt and build their empires. From rappers-to-moguls, to talk show hosts-turned-CEOs, you'll learn the ways that successful people define, push, and conquer their limits.

Unlock bonus content and sponsor-free listening with a subscription to The Limits Plus. Learn more at plus.npr.org/thelimits.
The Limits with Jay Williams

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The Limits with Jay Williams
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The Limits with Jay Williams

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Today, the art of celebrity doesn't look like it used to. Now, it's all about betting on yourself and expanding your personal brand—sometimes even beyond your comfort zone. Few understand the art of rebounding your life better than Williams, now an author, entrepreneur and ESPN host. Each week, he'll go deep with heavy-hitters from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and pop culture to understand the principles of faith, vision, and grit they live by in order to see past doubt and build their empires. From rappers-to-moguls, to talk show hosts-turned-CEOs, you'll learn the ways that successful people define, push, and conquer their limits.

Unlock bonus content and sponsor-free listening with a subscription to The Limits Plus. Learn more at plus.npr.org/thelimits.

Most Recent Episodes

Subscribers Only: Instant Replay With Deion Sanders, Brian Flores, and Niecy Nash

This week on The Limits Plus, Jay brings back some of the more poignant moments his guests have revealed. First up, Deion "Prime Time" Sanders discusses the mentor that changed his life and got him into professional sports. Then, NFL coach Brian Flores points out why representation matters at all levels in the league. And finally, actress Niecy Nash gets real about reconciling her faith with her evolving sexuality.

Instant Replay: Ben Baller On Reinvention, Hip-Hop, and High-End Jewelry

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Photo illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR

Instant Replay: Ben Baller On Reinvention, Hip-Hop, and High-End Jewelry

You know Ben Baller as the jeweler who has iced up the biggest names in hip-hop. But before that, he was a record executive listening to Jay-Z's first album before anybody else. The guy's got stories. Like how he was fired by Dr. Dre for speaking out against the bad contracts Dre was giving to his artists.

Instant Replay: Ben Baller On Reinvention, Hip-Hop, and High-End Jewelry

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Subscribers Only: Desus and Mero On Immigrant Childhoods and Elon Musk's Twitter

On this week's episode of The Limits Plus, comedians Desus Nice and The Kid Mero reflect on their experience as the children of immigrants, and how that has shaped them into the entertainers they are today. They also reveal their cheat code for working successfully with a close friend.

Desus and Mero On the Wild West of Media

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Photo illustration by Estefania Mitre/NPR; Photo by Greg Endries/SHOWTIME

Desus and Mero On the Wild West of Media

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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Subscribers Only: Kelly Rowland Reflects on Destiny's Child and Managing Stardom

On this week's episode of The Limits Plus, musician and author Kelly Rowland reflects on the early days of Destiny's Child. She remembers clearly the support system that kept her humble and grounded as a child star, including the best friend that literally slammed a door in her face. She also has sound advice for imparting balance and humility onto the next generation.

Kelly Rowland On Being the Ultimate Working Mom

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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

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Subscribers Only: Colton Underwood On Living Authentically For You And Your Kids

On this week's episode of The Limits Plus, former professional football player Colton Underwood looks to the future. Jay and Colton talk about raising kids, and how they plan to have conversations about race and sexuality.

Colton Underwood On Defining Masculinity On His Own Terms

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Colton Underwood On Defining Masculinity On His Own Terms

As a former NFL player and star of the Bachelor, Colton Underwood has embodied the highest ideals of masculinity. He worked hard to fit the mold of what everyone expected him to be. Until it almost killed him. When he finally accepted his sexuality and came out in 2021, the impact felt seismic.

Colton Underwood On Defining Masculinity On His Own Terms

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Subscribers Only: Jay Williams On Defining Your Own Narrative

This week we featured an episode of NPR's Life Kit, where Jay talked about overcoming his career-ending motorcycle accident and the tools he used to reframe that traumatic moment.

Life Kit: Reframing Your L's With Jay Williams

We've all failed before. Competition, rejection, loss...it's all a part of life. It's what The Limits is about: overcoming those obstacles to become great.

Life Kit: Reframing Your L's With Jay Williams

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The Limits with Jay Williams

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