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Wisdom Watch Tell Me More talks with those who've made a difference through their work.
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Wisdom Watch

Tell Me More talks with those who've made a difference through their work.

Former CNN Anchor Kept Cool, But Paid The Price Of Success

Award-winning journalist Bernard Shaw was a CNN news anchor for more than 20 years. He reflects on his career, mentors and how he knew it was time to leave the anchor desk.

Former CNN Anchor Kept Cool, But Paid The Price Of Success

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Opinion

Iyanla Vanzant: Clarity, Forgiveness Key To Tackling Big Transitions

The bestselling author and life coach has counseled hundreds of people through big life changes. Host Michel Martin asks Vanzant for her advice on getting through transitions.

Iyanla Vanzant: Clarity, Forgiveness Key To Tackling Big Transitions

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Two Prominent Museum Directors Encourage 'New Ways Of Thinking'

Host Michel Martin speaks with the directors of the National Museum of African Art and the National Museum of the American Indian. Both institutions are celebrating important anniversaries this year.

Two Prominent Museum Directors Encourage 'New Ways Of Thinking'

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Actor Don Cheadle On His Career's Longevity, The Key To Success

Actor Don Cheadle is known for his roles in film and television. In this encore broadcast, host Michel Martin asks Cheadle if he's hit a career peak and how he'll know when to call it quits.

Actor Don Cheadle On His Career's Longevity, The Key To Success

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Hugh Masekela Reminisces On Musical Motivations, Mandela

South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela is one of the giants of his continent's music. In this encore broadcast, host Michel Martin sits down with Masekela to discuss his life and work.

Hugh Masekela Reminisces On Musical Motivations, Mandela

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Spike Lee: Doing The Right Thing For Himself

Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee is using the website Kickstarter to raise money for his latest project. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

Spike Lee: Doing The Right Thing For Himself

The legendary filmmaker is using the fundraising website Kickstarter to raise money for his latest movie — and he's drawing some criticism for it. He talks to host Michel Martin about funding his own films and the state of the industry today.

Spike Lee: Doing The Right Thing For Himself

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From The Border To The Fortune 500

Hector Ruiz is one of the few Latinos who have led Fortune 500 companies. He grew up poor in a small coal-mining town in Mexico. He shined shoes to help his family get by, and walked across the U.S.-Mexico border each day to go to high school in Texas. Host Michel Martin talks with him about his new memoir, Slingshot.

From The Border To The Fortune 500

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Jazz Great Hugh Masekela, Fresh Because He's Fascinated
Mark Shoul/Courtesy of the artist

Jazz Great Hugh Masekela, Fresh Because He's Fascinated

The South African trumpeter is one of the giants of African music. Over his long career, he pioneered jazz fusion and even managed to bump the Rolling Stones from the U.S. charts. Still, at age 74, he says, "I feel like I'm just beginning."

Jazz Great Hugh Masekela, Fresh Because He's Fascinated

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Cable And Corruption In Southern California

The Galloway brothers, Clinton and Carl, spent most of the 1980s fighting to get poor minorities in Southern California access to cable television. It was a struggle that took them from City Hall to the Supreme Court. Clinton Galloway talks with host Celeste Headlee about his new memoir, Anatomy of a Hustle: Cable Comes to South Central L.A.

Cable And Corruption In Southern California

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Beloved YA Author Katherine Paterson Shares Wisdom
Samantha Loomis Paterson

Beloved YA Author Katherine Paterson Shares Wisdom

Katherine Paterson is the author of many young adult novels, including The Great Gilly Hopkins and Bridge to Terabithia. The American Library Association recently honored her with the Wilder Award for her work. Host Michel Martin talks to Paterson about how she's been able to tell so many authentic stories about young people.

Beloved YA Author Katherine Paterson Shares Wisdom

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Life's Traumas Won't Stop Kenyan Author Ngugi
Daniel A. Anderson/University Co/Random House

Life's Traumas Won't Stop Kenyan Author Ngugi

One of Kenya's most famous citizens is author and professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o. His criticism of that nation's post-colonial government led to his arrest and eventual exile. But he says he can't be knocked down. Host Michel Martin talks with Ngugi about his new memoir, In the House of the Interpreter.

Life's Traumas Won't Stop Kenyan Author Ngugi

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Before Michelle Obama, There Was Ella Jenkins

Singer Ella Jenkins has been entertaining and educating children for more than 50 years. She's been dubbed the 'First Lady of Children's Music' and was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Host Michel Martin speaks with Ella Jenkins about her career and new album Get Moving with Ella Jenkins.

Before Michelle Obama, There Was Ella Jenkins

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Dyn-O-Mite! Comedian Jimmie Walker Talks Showbiz

Comedian Jimmie Walker is best known for his Good Times sitcom character J.J. Evans. But there's more to Walker than just laughs. For Tell Me More's Wisdom Watch series, host Michel Martin talks with Walker about his long career in showbiz, detailed in his memoir, Dyn-O-Mite: Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times.

Dyn-O-Mite! Comedian Jimmie Walker Talks Showbiz

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Reverend Run: From Rapper To Preacher

Rap pioneer Joseph Simmons, also known as 'Run' of Run DMC, had a successful music career spanning more than three decades. For Tell Me More's 'Wisdom Watch' series, host Michel Martin talks with Rev. Run about his evolution from rapper to preacher.

Reverend Run: From Rapper To Preacher

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Africa's Wisdom, Woes Occupy Soyinka's Existence

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, speaks in Lagos, Nigeria, this year. Sunday Alamba/AP hide caption

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Sunday Alamba/AP

Africa's Wisdom, Woes Occupy Soyinka's Existence

Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka was the first black African to win the Nobel Prize in literature, in 1986. He tells NPR's Michel Martin that the best part about it was the money. His latest work, Of Africa, is a study of the continent that has dominated his career.

Africa's Wisdom, Woes Occupy Soyinka's Existence

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Sharon Beverly's First Love? Basketball

Sharon Beverly has spent her life proving that girls have got game. She played on a professional basketball team nearly 20 years before the WNBA even started. She went on to have a prolific career as a college coach and is now the athletics director of Vassar College. Beverly speaks with host Michel Martin for Tell Me More's Wisdom Watch series.

Sharon Beverly's First Love? Basketball

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Covering The Arts In Tumultuous Times

Journalist Jacqueline Trescott started at The Washington Post in the 1970s, during a time of social and political upheaval. But she made her mark by covering the arts, theater and film. Trescott speaks with host Michel Martin about being a young African-American reporter, starting her career at that tumultuous time.

Covering The Arts In Tumultuous Times

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Legs Lost, But Still Climbing High

Spencer West at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Courtesy of Free the Children hide caption

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Courtesy of Free the Children

Legs Lost, But Still Climbing High

Spencer West lost his legs because of a genetic disorder when he was just 5 years old. But that hasn't stopped him from great athletic endeavors, like climbing the highest peak in Africa. West joins host Michel Martin to talk about his memoir, Standing Tall.

Legs Lost, But Still Climbing High

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Living Under The Gun

Kiese Laymon is now a university English professor. But his path to the halls of Vassar College was marred by the reality and threat of gun violence. Host Michel Martin talks with Laymon about some of the hard-won wisdom he shares in his essay, "How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America: A Remembrance."

Living Under The Gun

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In 1972, Davis Blazed Party Trail On Gay Rights

The Democratic Party has became the first major political party to include same-sex marriage rights in its platform. Back in 1972, Madeline Davis argued for the party to embrace gay rights, the first time it was brought up in a major party platform debate. Davis discusses the evolution of the gay rights movement with host Michel Martin.

In 1972, Davis Blazed Party Trail On Gay Rights

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Brooklyn Mack, From Ball Player To Ballet Star

Brooklyn Mack used to dream of becoming a football player. He took up ballet, at age 12, to beef up his athleticism — and he never turned back. Earlier this summer, Mack became the first African-American man to win gold at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. Mack speaks with host Michel Martin about his life and his career.

Brooklyn Mack, From Ball Player To Ballet Star

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For Elaine Chao, A Tough Voyage To U.S. Leadership

Elaine Chao made history when she became the first Asian American woman appointed to a U.S. president's cabinet. She served as Secretary of Labor under George W. Bush, and before that directed the Peace Corps. But making her mark on the U.S. was not easy. As a child, she spent 37 days traveling by boat to get from Taiwan to America. Elaine Chao talks about her journey and her career with host Michel Martin.

For Elaine Chao, A Tough Voyage To U.S. Leadership

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