Misty Copeland: Standing Up to Discrimination | Forward Progress

Graham spends the day with NBA center Dwight Howard at his Atlanta-area estate. The 8-time all-star and 2020 NBA champion discusses career highlights, from going first overall at the 2004 NBA Draft, to winning the NBA Dunk Contest and upsetting LeBron James and the Cavs en route to the 2009 NBA Finals. In this 2019 interview, Dwight also opens up about his family - from his state-trooper father to his five children - and shares his philosophical outlook on the many lessons learned during his ascension to and through stardom.

Joe Namath on his battle with alcohol, staying sober for 13 years as a “dry drunk” and the combination of fear, support and religious beliefs that help him overcome the addiction.

Gary Player shares his unorthodox methods of staying mentally sharp, includingintentionally driving behind slow drivers on the highway and slapping himself in the face, repeatedly.

We revisit Graham’s 2018 chat with the Super Bowl champ turned Emmy-winning TV star, Michael Strahan. The seven-time Pro Bowler reflects on his move from daytime TV to morning news, predicts his eventual retirement and reflects on 15 years with the Giants. Strahan also discusses his childhood in Germany and a deep conversation with his father that changed everything. 

Ron Howard fondly remembers his father Rance, who doubled as his personal acting coach. Plus, Ron’s brother Clint Howard joins the conversation and paints a picture as to how their father politely challenged Andy Griffith and helped shape the depth of Opie Taylor as Ron’s character on “The Andy Griffith Show.” Later, Ron remembers when Andy Griffith took center stage at an end-of-season wrap party and announced his departure from the show, plus the warm embrace of a cast reunion nearly 20 years later that validated his childhood emotions. 

Misty Copeland - named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine - takes us through encounters with racism and microaggressions throughout her illustrious career in ballet. Misty recalls dance companies forcing her to wear tights accustomed to white dancers, a makeup artist who planned to apply white powder to her face and more generally a shortage of opportunities and access for Black ballet dancers.  Later, she talks of an impulse to run away from racial disparities and obstacles at American Ballet Theatre, but instead leaned into lessons learned from her mother

We revisit Graham’s 2015 chat with Jesse Ventura. The former WWE wrestler and governor of Minnesota emotionally remembers spending a day with Muhammad Ali, explains his falling out with Hulk Hogan and discusses his time in office – which included a trip to Cuba to meet with the late Fidel Castro. Plus, Ventura reflects on Navy SEAL training and his role in the movie Predator.

Clayton Kershaw discusses growing in his Christian faith and how he uses his personal success to glorify God’s name.

Sports broadcasting icon Bob Costas remembers his upbringing, including anecdotes from his father’s gambling addiction. Costas talks of his dad passing away at an early age due to a heart attack and unexpectedly receiving an envelope containing $6,000 in cash at the funeral. He ponders what life would be like if his dad were alive to witness his career growth and remembers his mom Jayne for her good-natured, self-deprecating humor, among other things.

Howie Mandel - a standup comedian turned actor, Deal or No Deal host, America's Got Talent judge and podcast star - joined Graham Bensinger to talk about his life in the spotlight. Mandel looks back on his rise to fame, his ongoing battle with OCD and depression, and the emotions of coping with his grandson’s cancer diagnosis. Now, with so much success to his name, Mandel discusses why he's still pushing for more, appreciating "the chase" as much today as he did when he was beginning his career.