Quiara Alegria Hudes is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Tony Award-winning musical "In The Heights." Hudes has also written a deeply personal memoir -- "My Broken Language" -- on navigating life as the daughter of a Puerto Rican mother and Jewish father in West Philadelphia. She gives us her Brief But Spectacular take on unearthing family stories.

PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Carey Candrian is a Colorado-based social scientist who has spent much of her career investigating how healthcare can be compromised if an open discussion with patients is avoided. Candrian offers her Brief But Spectacular view on reimagining the language we use in healthcare, especially around elderly LBGTQ members. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Ryan Ramnarace got a second chance at life when he was released from federal prison. After serving 14 years, he decided he wanted to be a positive presence for his family and community. He tells us about his progress in that endeavor, and gives his Brief But Spectacular take on the capacity we all have to change our lives. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

96-year-old Stuart Hodes took his first dance lesson at the Martha Graham school after being discharged from a distinguished stint as an air force aviator in World War II, and he has been dancing through life ever since. He recently wrote a memoir called "Onstage with Martha Graham," and joins us to provide his Brief but Spectacular take on dancing into old age. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Linda Maduwura was raised in Zimbabwe and came to the U.S. in 2006, where she studied to become an accountant. She now has her own practice that creates new opportunities for her fellow Zimbabweans back home, especially young African women. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The emergence of long COVID has drawn attention to poorly understood chronic illnesses. This week, over a thousand people living with those diseases signed up to meet virtually with members of Congress to push for more funding for chronic illnesses. Disability advocate Rivka Solomon gives us her Brief But Spectacular take on advocating for those with chronic illnesses. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Eric Liu, who worked in former President Bill Clinton's White House, offers his Brief But Spectacular take on why he's still hopeful democracy can work for everyone. His latest book is called , "Become America." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Researching masculinity has been a life-long interest for Andrew Reiner, and it took on a new urgency when his son, Macallah, was born in 2011. Tonight, Reiner gives his Brief but Spectacular take on confronting an outdated model of masculinity. His latest book is called, "Better Boys, Better Men." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Tonight, we report on why palliative care is crucial in rural communities from three different perspectives. Dr. Jennifer Blechman of Bend, Oregon, hospice and social worker Liz Anderson of Asheville, North Carolina, and patient Joanie Devine alongside her fiance David Keenan of Waynesville, North Carolina, join us with their Brief But Spectacular take on the issue. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

One thing the pandemic has made clear is our need for essential workers. The NewsHour has heard many of their voices during this last year. On this "Equal Pay Day," Ai-jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance gives her Brief But Spectacular take on the importance of caregivers and how we can protect and value their work in America as we navigate the pandemic. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders