Culture

Breaking Big

Why and how did some of the world's most influential artists, innovators, athletes and leaders break big? Talented men and women recount their most difficult, dramatic and serendipitous turning points. Emmy-winning journalist Carlos Watson hosts.

Carmen Yulín Cruz

25m 46s

Track the route of San Juan’s Mayor Cruz after Puerto Rico was slammed by a catastrophic hurricane. The city leader stood up and fought for relief aid, becoming the heroic voice of her struggling island and the Puerto Rican people.

Episodes

  • Carmen Yulín Cruz: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Carmen Yulín Cruz

    S1 E12 - 25m 46s

    Track the route of San Juan’s Mayor Cruz after Puerto Rico was slammed by a catastrophic hurricane. The city leader stood up and fought for relief aid, becoming the heroic voice of her struggling island and the Puerto Rican people.

  • Christian Siriano: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Christian Siriano

    S1 E11 - 26m 3s

    Learn how sartorial savant Siriano parlayed confidence and a singular vision into a “Project Runway” victory. See how he surmounted rejection from FIT and created one of the most socially conscious and successful fashion lines in the industry.

  • Gretchen Carlson: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Gretchen Carlson

    S1 E10 - 25m 31s

    See how former FOX News anchor Carlson—a Miss America winner and Stanford graduate—found the strength to sue her employers for sexual harassment and become an advocate for working women everywhere.

  • Lee Daniels: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Lee Daniels

    S1 E9 - 26m 4s

    Trace Daniels’ path from West Philly to his the red-hot center of Hollywood. Learn how he conquered both the independent and mainstream sides of Hollywood, directing and producing critical darlings like The Butler and Empire.

  • Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

    S1 E8 - 25m 47s

    Discover how Sen. Gillibrand started out representing a conservative district in upstate New York, then made a name as a politician willing to transcend simple ideology. Learn what drove her unlikely rise and her role as a leading voice for women’s rights.

  • Michael Strahan: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Michael Strahan

    S1 E7 - 25m 44s

    Teamwork is what allowed Michael Strahan to break big several times over a career that took him from the football field to the television studio. Follow Super Bowl champ Strahan’s trajectory from football star to sports commentator and TV host.

  • Roxane Gay: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Roxane Gay

    S1 E6 - 26m 5s

    See how Gay, child of Haitian immigrants, transcended expectations to become a leading voice in the feminist movement with her essay collection "Bad Feminist." How did she convert a painful childhood into a career that helped women around the world?

  • Ruth Zukerman: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ruth Zukerman

    S1 E5 - 26m 3s

    Find out how Zukerman turned her passion for indoor-cycling into a massive business—twice—with SoulCycle and FlyWheel. Learn what kept her moving all these years and cemented her place at the heart of the boutique fitness world.

  • Jason Aldean: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Jason Aldean

    S1 E4 - 26m 4s

    Learn how country singer Jason Aldean battled through constant setbacks early in his career, and ultimately found success with a scrappy, persistent and out-of-the-box approach that led him to country music superstardom.

  • Danai Gurira: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Danai Gurira

    S1 E3 - 26m 4s

    See how Tony Award-nominated writer Gurira made the leap from storyteller to Hollywood superstar. The Zimbabwe native yearned to bring African faces and voices to Broadway through her plays, but ended up starring in the mega-hit "Black Panther."

  • Eddie Huang: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Eddie Huang

    S1 E2 - 26m 11s

    Follow Huang, restaurateur, television host and author of Fresh off the Boat, on his unique path to the American Dream. The first-generation Asian American credits the influence of his family and the cultural significance of food in his success.

  • Trevor Noah: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trevor Noah

    S1 E1 - 26m 11s

    Learn how Noah, born and raised in South Africa, used his painful life stories to create a unique voice on the international comedy circuit. See how his tumultuous upbringing helped him secure one of the most coveted jobs in late-night television.

Extras + Features

  • Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Changes Her Views: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Changes Her Views

    S1 E12 - 1m 23s

    Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz never questioned her stance on egalitarian marriage until she met a gay couple with a longer running track record than her own. With an open mind, she began to explore the possibilities of a more progressive party.

  • Episode 12 Preview | Carmen Yulín Cruz: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 12 Preview | Carmen Yulín Cruz

    S1 E12 - 30s

    Track the route of San Juan’s Mayor Cruz after Puerto Rico was slammed by a catastrophic hurricane. The city leader stood up and fought for relief aid, becoming the heroic voice of her struggling island and the Puerto Rican people.

  • Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Stands Up To Her Own Party: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Stands Up To Her Own Party

    S1 E12 - 1m 9s

    Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz won't allow the views of her political party to define who she is. Despite the machismo culture that runs rampant in Puerto Rico's political system, she doesn't let this double standard block her from creating progress.

  • Carmen Yulin Cruz Runs For Office: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Carmen Yulin Cruz Runs For Office

    S1 E12 - 55s

    As a young girl, Carmen Yulin Cruz aspired to be the Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She first ran for the House of Representatives in 2001, but lost. Not easily discouraged, she ran once more and was victorious.

  • Episode 11 Preview | Christian Siriano: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 11 Preview | Christian Siriano

    S1 E11 - 30s

    Learn how sartorial savant Siriano parlayed confidence and a singular vision into a “Project Runway” victory. See how he surmounted rejection from FIT and created one of the most socially conscious and successful fashion lines in the industry.

  • Christian Siriano Feels the Recession: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Christian Siriano Feels the Recession

    S1 E11 - 1m 22s

    With his career just getting off the ground, fashion designer Christian Siriano felt the weight of the 2008 recession as much as the rest of the country. With labels and brands less willing to spend, Siriano had to work even harder to succeed.

  • Christian Siriano Loves Transformation: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Christian Siriano Loves Transformation

    S1 E11 - 1m 8s

    As a child, Project Runway winner Christian Siriano became enamored with the transformative nature of fashion after watching his mother create costumes for his sister's ballet recitals.

  • Christian Siriano Builds a Brand: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Christian Siriano Builds a Brand

    S1 E11 - 1m 20s

    After winning Project Runway, Christian Siriano was faced with the difficult task of staying relevant in the notoriously fickle and demanding fashion industry. Experts explain just how challenging that world is, and how Christian was able to create his own unique brand.

  • Gretchen Carlson on Sexual Harassment: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Gretchen Carlson on Sexual Harassment

    S1 E10 - 1m 41s

    Television Commentator Gretchen Carlson recalls her first brush with sexual harassment on the job and the coinciding panic that overtook her.

  • Episode 10 Preview | Gretchen Carlson: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Episode 10 Preview | Gretchen Carlson

    S1 E10 - 30s

    See how former FOX News anchor Carlson—a Miss America winner and Stanford graduate—found the strength to sue her employers for sexual harassment and become an advocate for working women everywhere.

  • Gretchen Carlson: Champion of Change: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Gretchen Carlson: Champion of Change

    S1 E10 - 1m 14s

    Television Commentator Gretchen Carlson is honored for taking a stand for herself during a time that wasn't as welcoming to the plights of sexual harassment.

  • Gretchen Carlson on Joining Miss America: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Gretchen Carlson on Joining Miss America

    S1 E10 - 1m 46s

    While attending Oxford, Television Commentator Gretchen Carlson was considering giving up the violin. But in an attempt to prolong her playing and continue using her talent, her parents suggested Gretchen compete for Miss America. Despite her tomboy upbringing, Gretchen dedicated herself to the challenge and broke through those barriers.

Schedule

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