PBS NewsHour - Brief But Spectacular

Kalina Silverman is a storyteller who's transforming how we connect with each other. Her "Big Talk" project turns simple conversations into profound exchanges and has reached millions. Recently, Silverman turned her attention to documenting the stories of California wildfire survivors, helping raise millions in relief. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on big talk. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Darrick Hamilton is an economic scholar and director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy. Growing up in Brooklyn, he witnessed firsthand how economic circumstances shaped communities, inspiring his groundbreaking work on "Baby Bonds," government-funded savings accounts provided to children at birth. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on building a birthright to capital. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Our Brief But Spectacular is shining a light on three aspiring builders from a hands-on vocational construction program in Salinas, California. Many of the students there are pushing past significant personal obstacles as they learn to frame walls, pour foundations and design homes with sustainability in mind. They share their Brief But Spectacular take on building a brighter future. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

When Riccarda Zezza returned from maternity leave to discover her role had vanished, she transformed a career setback into a powerful new opportunity. Her experience inspired her to found a company redefining how parents and employers approach life transitions. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on motherhood as a master's in soft skills. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Maggie Doyne's decision to postpone college and work with refugees in India transformed her life and the lives of many others. Her story has been captured through the lens of filmmaker and partner Jeremy Power Regimbal. Maggie and Jeremy give us their Brief But Spectacular take on family. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Robert Trujillo grew up in Santa Monica, California, where his passion for music set the stage for an extraordinary career. Today, he’s known as the bassist for Metallica, one of the biggest rock bands. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on manifesting a dream. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Lawrence Chu is the heart and soul behind Chef Chu's, a beloved dining destination in the Bay Area for over five decades. Known for his culinary artistry and commitment to community, Lawrence reflects on the power food has to bring people together. Chef Chu shares his Brief But Spectacular take on treating each day like opening day. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

During the pandemic, a project called "Artists and Elders" was formed to connect artists to isolated older adults in their community. The founders share their Brief But Spectacular take on the art of bringing people together. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Lang Lang, one of the world's most famous classical pianists, discovered his passion for piano while growing up alongside other musicians in China. Today, he stands as a globally acclaimed classical pianist whose extraordinary talent has led him to perform with diverse musical legends. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on loving what you play. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Mark Rober discovered his passion for engineering as a kid, tinkering with gadgets and building creative contraptions. A former NASA engineer turned YouTube sensation, he now runs CrunchLabs, where he develops hands-on science kits to spark curiosity and innovation in young minds. Rober shares his Brief But Spectacular take on being amazed at the world around us. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Sarah Jakober is a U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter who serves on the Grand Ronde Rappel Crew based in Grande, Oregon. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on being a wildland firefighter. Jakober provides a window into a day on the job as climate change lengthens wildfire seasons and intensifies their impact. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Ximena Abogabir is the co-founder of a Chilean organization dedicated to changing attitudes about aging. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on empowering people to live their best lives. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Older adults will soon outnumber children on a global scale. Bridge Meadows is an innovative multigenerational housing community in Oregon that fosters healing and connection for foster youth, their families and elders. Three generations of Bridge Meadows residents give their Brief But Spectacular takes on how living in this vibrant community has transformed their lives for the better. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Fabiola Moreno Ruelas is a first-generation college graduate working for the California state legislature. She is also the founder of the Ruelas Fulfillment Foundation, which aims to help high school students pursue higher education. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on how anyone can give. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Many will remember Flossie Lewis, who was among our earliest profiles on Brief But Spectacular. She spoke to us in 2016 about growing old and living well, earning millions of clicks and shares online. She joined Brief But Spectacular series creator Steve Goldbloom to celebrate a very special occasion, her 100th birthday. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Priyanka Mattoo is an L.A.-based writer and filmmaker whose new memoir, "Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones," chronicles her peripatetic search for home, from Kashmir to England to Saudi Arabia to Michigan to Rome and, finally, to Los Angeles. She gives her Brief But Spectacular take on dreaming of home. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Mary C. Murphy is a social psychologist and professor specializing in improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational and organizational settings. Her new book, "Cultures of Growth," explores the traits of individual and team success. Mary shares her Brief But Spectacular take on how we create cultures of growth. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Kevin J. Patel is a climate activist from Los Angeles. After experiencing heart issues due to poor air quality in his city, he founded OneUpAction International, an organization intended to empower marginalized youth to be change-makers. He gives his Brief But Spectacular take on giving climate activism a shot. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Yuval Noah Harari is a professor renowned for his broad and thought-provoking perspectives on human history. Harari, who is the bestselling author of "Sapiens," recently released a new volume of this work for younger readers. He gives his Brief But Spectacular take on what it means to be human. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Entrepreneur and author Derrick Fennell has been a flight attendant for more than 14 years. Many of his passengers know him for his in-flight poems reflecting on his time in the skies. Fennell shares one of his poems and his Brief But Spectacular take on the miracle of flight. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Joan Wicks is a sixth-grade humanities teacher in Los Angeles who helped her students rebound from COVID learning loss through her devotion and advocacy. The school was recently recognized with the California Distinguished Schools Award. Wicks shares her Brief But Spectacular take on inspiring a love of learning. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For more than two decades, Vermont-based photographer Jim Westphalen has documented old farmhouses, barns, churches and homes that have fallen into disrepair -- he calls it "finding beauty in decay." His works are collected in a book and film, both titled "Vanish: Disappearing Icons of a Rural America." Westphalen shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the vanishing structures of rural America. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

David Miles Jr., known as "The Godfather of Skate," has been the driving force behind the roller skating scene in the Bay Area of California for the past four decades. He's known for making skating accessible through the Church of 8 Wheels, a funky roller rink in an old church. He gives his Brief But Spectacular take on spreading "Rolligion." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Brandon Stosuy is the author of several books on creativity and the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Creative Independent. His latest book, "Sad Happens: A Celebration of Tears," began when Brandon noticed someone crying in public and decided to tweet about it. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on crying in public. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author whose latest book seeks to unlock the secret language of communication. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on super communication. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Adrian Antao is a high school English teacher at KIPP NYC. Adrian has worked with educators, coders and designers at the nonprofit Playlab.ai to develop Project Toni, an AI tool to support his students with their writing revisions. While many are worried about using AI in the classroom, Adrian has found real benefits. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on harnessing AI in schools. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Lul Mohamud is the executive director of The Person Center, a nonprofit organization that supports survivors of domestic violence. The daughter of Somali immigrants, Mohamud focuses her work on helping those from the African immigrant and refugee community in the Washington, D.C. area. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on the power and promise of person-centered care. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

After experiencing a personal tragedy, Joyal Mulheron founded Evermore, a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the policies and practices surrounding bereavement care. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on why every loss matters. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Akiima Price has dedicated her life to getting people outdoors. As founder of The Friends of Anacostia Park in Washington, D.C., she aims to improve the park and the lives of those who live in the community. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on the power of nature. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Valor Collegiate Academy in Nashville encourages students to share what's going on in their lives and to accept support, creating what they call a community of care. We hear from high school teacher Natalie Nikitas and Valor students as they give their Brief But Spectacular take on building trust at school. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Rachael Ortiz-Marsh is the co-owner of the Tennessee Trojans, a women's tackle football team in Nashville. She founded the team in 2022 with her wife, Tessa, to build community and break barriers for women through sports. Ortiz-Marsh shares her Brief But Spectacular take on building a team. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Wynette Smith is the long-time owner of Starlet Dance Studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite facing a range of challenges, she says she keeps the studio alive for the generations of dancers who keep coming back. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on the art of dance. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Karen Vallejos is the executive director of the Dream Project, dedicated to supporting students whose immigration status may pose challenges to their academic aspirations. As a former undocumented student herself, Vallejos saw the barriers in place that prevent immigrant students from realizing their dreams. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on Dreamers pursuing higher education. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Joya Powell is an award winning choreographer, activist and educator whose work focuses on community and the African diaspora. She is the founder of Movement of the People Dance Company, a group that addresses socio-cultural injustices through dance. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on dance as activism. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Vint Cerf is known for his pioneering work as one of the fathers of the internet. He now serves as the vice president and chief internet evangelist for Google where he furthers global policy development and accessibility of the internet. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on the future of the internet. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Andrés González is a conductor, musician, and advocate for youth music education. He was trained from a young age through El Sistema, a renowned music program in Venezuela, before moving to the United States. He is a mentor at Play on Philly, providing access to music education to low-income and minority students. González shares his Brief But Spectacular take on how music empowers communities. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Anastacia-Reneé is a writer, educator and interdisciplinary artist. In collaboration with New York City's Lincoln Center, she performs pieces from "Side Notes from the Archivist," her new book that explores five decades of American history through her perspective as a Black, queer feminist. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on legacy and poetry. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Raj Jayadev is a MacArthur Fellow and founder of an organization which supports people who have been through the criminal justice system. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on how to protect your people. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Over the last five years, more than 170 churches have joined Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III's mission to address disenfranchisement and food insecurity. Rev. Brown shares his Brief But Spectacular take on nourishing the mind, body and soul. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Jonathan McCrory has served as the artistic director at the National Black Theatre for over ten years. Along the way, he earned three Obie Awards, the highest honor for off-Broadway theater. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on love, joy and the pursuit of happiness. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Steven Waldman is the founder and president of Rebuild Local News, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to counter the collapse of local news and strengthen local democracy. He is also the co-founder of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in newsrooms across the country. Waldman shares his Brief But Spectacular take on how to rebuild local news. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Megan Fernandes is a writer and assistant professor at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, where she teaches courses on poetry and environmental writing. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on humor and humiliation in poetry. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders