Beyond The Spotlight

Shaquille O’Neal went from being poor and bullied – and becoming a bully himself – to fame in the NBA. The greatest influence on Shaq’s life was his step-father who taught him that “true pressure is not knowing where your next meal is coming from.”

At age 19 on a missionary trip to a clinic in Brazil Kristen Bell helped to deliver two babies. The experience ignited her nurturing nature which endures today in good works like the snack bars “This Saves Lives” and the organization she co-founded “No Kid Hungry.”

At age 20 Samuel L. Jackson served as an usher at Martin Luther King’s funeral. Jackson and his wife LaTanya have fought for civil rights around the world but their greatest satisfactions are hand written thank you notes from children they have supplied with books.

Inspired by his mother to be “of service” LeVar Burton entered the seminary at 13 years old. But after deciding the church didn’t have the answers to his many questions about life he changed his focus to theater arts ultimately becoming known for Roots Reading Rainbow and Star Trek.

Jimmy Donaldson aka MrBeast is the world’s first digital philanthropist. After becoming obsessed with YouTube at a young age Jimmy built a viral video empire based on the joy he gets from helping others.

These are the intriguing people who capture our attention fill our social feeds and shape pop culture. In this episode an intimate portrait of NFL legend Joe Namath including his journey to help fellow players deal with long-term brain trauma.