Comedian and illustrator Mo Welch has built a career blending sharp humor with emotional honesty. Her recent special, "Dad Jokes," explores her childhood with a largely absent father, culminating in a road trip to reunite with him after 20 years. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Jun 19, 2025•4 min
Older LGBTQ adults face a number of challenges, especially when it comes to finding housing and care. SAGE, a national advocacy leader in this space, created a system of training programs for care providers. H.O.M.E. housing director Nikki Moustafa and SAGEcare trainer Britta Larson highlight how the training has improved their abilities to support residents. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Jun 16, 2025•4 min
Sarah Silverman is known as one of the sharpest, most fearless voices in comedy, pushing the art form in new directions. In her new Netflix special, "Postmortem," she talks about losing her father and stepmother just weeks apart. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on saying goodbye. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Jun 09, 2025•4 min
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
Jun 02, 2025•4 min
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
May 15, 2025•4 min
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
May 08, 2025•4 min
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
Apr 28, 2025•4 min
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
Apr 18, 2025•5 min
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
Mar 10, 2025•3 min
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
Feb 07, 2025•4 min
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
Jan 22, 2025•3 min
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
Jan 01, 2025•5 min
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
Dec 31, 2024•4 min
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
Oct 17, 2024•3 min
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
Sep 29, 2024•4 min
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
Sep 16, 2024•4 min
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
Aug 08, 2024•4 min
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
Jul 03, 2024•5 min
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
Jul 02, 2024•3 min
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 News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
May 14, 2024•3 min
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 News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Apr 22, 2024•3 min
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 News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Apr 15, 2024•4 min
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 News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Apr 13, 2024•3 min
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 News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Apr 02, 2024•3 min