Breaking Big

Born and raised in South Africa, Trevor Noah used his mother’s influence to turn the painful stories from his life into a unique voice on the international comedy circuit. But how did his tumultuous upbringing land him in a position to fill Jon Stewart’s shoes on “The Daily Show,” one of the most sought-after jobs in all of late night television?

Restaurateur, author of “Fresh off the Boat,” and host of his own television series, Eddie Huang guides us through his unique path to the American dream. Through the eyes of a first-generation Asian American, the former t-shirt hustler turned business mogul tracks the influence of his family and the cultural significance of food that led to his ultimate success.

Zimbabwe-native Danai Gurira yearned to bring African faces and voices to Broadway through her plays. But how did this Tony Award nominated writer make the leap from dramatic story teller to Hollywood superstar with starring roles on mega-hits like “The Walking Dead” and “Black Panther”?

Country music superstar Jason Aldean worked through a barrage of setbacks before finally making a name for himself. But after the country rocker built an enduring career, he faced a traumatic event when a mass shooting occurred during his concert in Las Vegas. Learn what it took for this persistent artist to make his way to the top, and what it takes to stay there.

As one of the original founders of SoulCycle, Ruth Zukerman turned her passion for indoor cycling into a massive business. But when that partnership ended, she did it again...with FlyWheel. What kept Ruth moving all these years and cemented her place at the heart of the entire boutique fitness world?

As a quiet child of Haitian immigrants, Roxane Gay transcended all expectations and became a leading voice in modern feminist movement, with her essay collection Bad Feminist. But how did she transform a painful childhood into a powerful battle cry and a successful career that would end up helping women around the world?

Follow Super Bowl champ Michael Strahan’s path, from NY Giants Hall of Famer to sports commentator and host of “Good Morning America.” What enabled him to tackle the TV industry and straddle two different worlds when his time in the stadium was up?

From representing one of the most conservative districts in upstate New York to filling Hillary Clinton’s vacant senate seat, Kirsten Gillibrand made a name for herself as a politician willing to work beyond simple ideology. What drove her unlikely rise in political capital and propelled her to become one of the leading voices for women’s rights?

Lee Daniels fought his way from West Philly to the red-hot center of Hollywood. Along the way, he held various positions in the industry but ultimately became the storyteller he was destined to be. What compelled him to conquer both the independent and mainstream sides of Hollywood by directing and producing critical darlings like The Butler and massive network TV hits like Empire?

Former Fox News Anchor Gretchen Carlson shocked the world when she sued the most powerful man in cable news, Roger Ailes, and her employers, for sexual harassment and settled for an unprecedented sum of money. But how did this former Miss America winner and Stanford graduate find the strength to take such a stand and become an improbable voice of justice for working women everywhere?

No one looks for a disaster to cement their own legacy. But when Puerto Rico was slammed by a catastrophic hurricane and the US Government was slow to respond, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz of San Juan stood up and fought back. Watch as she goes from humble civic leader to become the heroic voice of her struggling island and the Puerto Rican people.

No one looks for a disaster to cement their own legacy. But when Puerto Rico was slammed by a catastrophic hurricane and the US Government was slow to respond, Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz of San Juan stood up and fought back. Watch as she goes from humble civic leader to become the heroic voice of her struggling island and the Puerto Rican people.