Before David Oyelowo became a critically acclaimed actor and the man who brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to life on screen, he was a shy kid who came back from Nigeria struggling to find his place in British life. Then Jill Foster, a theatre studies teacher at his Sixth Form College, saw something in him he hadn't yet seen in himself. In this deeply personal and unguarded conversation, the award winning actor sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of the teacher who changed everything when she cornered him outside a London tube station and said the words he'll never forget: I think you could do acting professionally. And I want to help you with that. David opens up about growing up between two worlds, living in Lagos, Nigeria from ages six to thirteen with a father who bore tribal marks and came from a royal family. He talks about what it felt like to experience life as a black man who was not a minority, and how those formative years gave him an identity so secure that no one could take it away. He shares the story of returning to the UK, discovering acting because he had a crush on his pastor's daughter, and meeting Jill Foster, the teacher who didn't just encourage him, she built him a ladder. She introduced him to the National Youth Music Theatre, helped him apply for funding through the Prince's Trust, coached him through drama school auditions, and gave him access to a world he didn't even know existed. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: The Teacher Who Saw a King 00:01:44 Meeting Jill Foster: The Theatre Teacher Who Changed Everything 00:06:11 The Tube Station Moment: I Think You Could Do This Professionally 00:09:45 Jessica: The Wife Who Said I've Got You, I've Got Us 00:12:31 Playing Henry VI: When a Black King Became a Threat to the Status Quo 00:24:01 The God Whisper: I'm Going to Play Dr. King 00:30:17 Shooting Selma While His Mother Lay Dying 00:33:11 The 2 AM Call: Losing His Father on Day One of Newborn 00:40:55 Lagos, Nigeria: Where the Minority Mentality Was Boiled Out of Him 00:55:01 Newborn: Seven Years in Solitary and the Power of Love ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: David Oyelowo Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Director of Social: Mariah Maull Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

Before Nick Cannon became a multi-hyphenate media mogul, comedian, rapper, producer, and host of The Masked Singer, he was a hyperactive five year old kid walking into a storefront Taekwondo studio in San Diego, terrified of the stern man who would change his life. In this deeply personal and unguarded conversation, the entertainment powerhouse sits down with David Begnaud to share the person who believed in him when discipline was the last thing he wanted. Nick opens up about meeting Grandmaster James Wilson, a stoic and accomplished man who was not just a martial arts instructor, but an assistant United States attorney, a minister, and a pillar in a community that rarely saw figures like him. Nick talks about growing up with a teenage dad, being raised in a disenfranchised neighborhood, and how Master Wilson became larger than life to him. He shares what it felt like to learn integrity before he even knew what the word meant, why he wanted to quit more than he wanted to stay, and how the discipline he resisted as a child became the foundation for everything he does today. There's also a raw reflection on being diagnosed with ADHD, narcissistic personality disorder, and lupus nephritis. Nick talks about why he sees diagnoses as chapters, not his whole story, and why therapy has become a space to offload, take inventory, and grow. He shares why he believes he's a machete juggler, why standing in the fire is where he feels most alive, and why slowing down has never been an option even when doctors tell him it should be. He opens up about fatherhood, raising 12 kids, the guilt he carries daily, and why being present matters more than being perfect. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Recorded January 28, 2026 Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: Nick Cannon 00:03:26 Meeting Master Wilson: The Five-Year-Old Who Didn't Want Discipline 00:07:37 The Superhero in the Neighborhood: Why Master Wilson Was Different 00:13:45 Integrity: The Word That Changed Everything 00:09:08 The Question: Have You Become the Man He Wanted You to See? 00:18:30 Growing Up With Dad: The Teenage Father Who Became His Hero 00:29:13 The Diagnosis Collection: ADHD, NPD, Lupus, and Labels 00:27:39 Therapy as Waste Management: Offloading to Stay Superhuman 00:30:25 The Narcissist Test: When You Try to Give the Right Answer 00:35:40 Standing in the Fire: Why Slowing Down Hurts More 00:37:18 The Machete Juggler: Proving Something to Himself Every Day 00:43:13 MTV and Wild 'N Out: Creating Space for Hip-Hop Culture 00:54:00 The 12 Kids Question: Legacy vs. Lineage 00:55:10 School Pickups and Guilt: The Super Dad Who Can't Be Everywhere 00:57:16 The Relentless Dreamer: Insomnia, Faith, and What's Left to Prove 00:42:35 Where Humans Connect: The Struggle Behind the Success 00:59:40 The Man Master Wilson Wanted: Honorable Over Famous ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Nick Cannon Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Associate Producer: Jonah Johnson Director of Social: Mariah Maull Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

The Person Who Believed In Me is a heartfelt podcast that celebrates the unsung heroes behind some of the world's biggest names. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist David Begnaud, this series shines a spotlight on the everyday people who saw potential, offered unwavering support, and changed the trajectory of extraordinary lives.

In this trailer, you'll hear from an incredible lineup of guests including Oprah Winfrey, Charlie Puth, Nick Cannon, Barry Diller, Sherry Lansing, Jason Ballard, and 2 Chainz - each sharing powerful glimpses into the people who believed in them before the world knew their names. These weren't just words of encouragement from afar.

This was presence. Sacrifice. Dedication. From the music teacher who recognized raw talent, to the parent who refused to let their child settle, to the mentor who saw past society's limitations - these believers changed everything. Every episode features a big-name guest, but the true star is always the ordinary person who saw something extraordinary and chose to nurture it. Join David Begnaud as he explores the profound impact one person's belief can have on another's destiny. Get ready for intimate conversations, emotional revelations, and inspiring stories that remind us all of the power of believing in someone.

Welcome to Reflections in Real Time, a space where everyday thoughts become timeless stories. This podcast is my personal journal brought to life—moments of clarity, fragments of doubt, and the quiet lessons hidden in the rhythm of daily life. Over the next few minutes, I’ll share not just events, but emotions, questions, and the small sparks that shape who we are. Think of it as opening the pages of a diary together, where honesty meets curiosity, and where vulnerability becomes strength. So, settle in, take a breath, and let’s begin this journey of self‑discovery—one entry at a time.

Before Charlie Puth became a multi-platinum artist and one of the most technically gifted musicians of his generation, he was a kid who couldn't sing in front of people until he was 18 years old. He was a student who heard everything at 200% volume, who felt sick when sounds were off-key, and who believed the only way he could express himself was if there was music behind him. In this deeply personal and unguarded conversation, the Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer sits down with David Begnaud to share the people who believed in him when he was too afraid to believe in himself. Charlie opens up about growing up with diagnosed OCD, perfect pitch, and a sensitivity to sound so intense that it still makes him nauseous. He talks about his parents, Chuck and Deb, who championed him when teachers told him to stay in one lane, when Catholic school didn't understand his love for Eminem, and when competitive swimming felt like sensory overload. His mom, a Jewish music teacher in a Catholic school, taught him that music could bring people in. His dad took a day off work and sat with him for 14 hours in line for an America's Got Talent audition, only to watch Charlie freeze and say he couldn't sing without something behind him. There's also a raw reflection on why Charlie has resisted vulnerability for so long, why he's terrified of being judged, and why his new album is the first time he's letting people see the imperfect, anxious, overthinking version of himself. He shares what it felt like to hear Taylor Swift mention his name in a song, why sitting with Quincy Jones changed his life, and why the song I Used To Be Cringe might be the most honest thing he's ever written. He talks about his pregnant wife, building a house, going on tour the same week his baby is due, and why the only thing that makes him feel better when the world gets too loud is a melody in his head. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: The Musical Prodigy Who Hears Everything 00:02:39 The Incense, The Nerves, and Sweating the Small Stuff 00:05:30 When Music is Your Only Comfort: The Gift and the Curse 00:08:41 I Used to Be Cringe: Writing the Song That Was Too Honest 00:15:49 The Swimming Pool Story: When Mom Pulled Him Out 00:15:08 Chuck and Deb: The Parents Who Believed When No One Else Did 00:39:51 The Classical vs Jazz Battle: Fighting to Do Both 00:44:55 Mom's History: Why She Fought So Hard for Charlie's Freedom 00:50:05 The Vulnerability He's Been Hiding: Opening Up for the First Time 00:49:21 Taylor Swift, Baby Puth, and the Album That Changes Everything 00:57:19 The Imperfections Make It Human: Charlie's Letter to His Younger Self ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Charlie Puth Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Theme Music: Slipstream Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

Before Ava DuVernay became an Oscar-nominated director and groundbreaking force in Hollywood, she was a 32 year old publicist with a $50,000 film, no film school degree, and a dream she wasn't sure anyone would take seriously. Then Roger Ebert said yes. In this deeply personal conversation, the visionary filmmaker sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of the legendary film critic who believed in her when the world had no idea who she was. Ava opens up about the moment she cold-pitched Roger Ebert to review her debut film I Will Follow, a meditation on grief inspired by her aunt Denise. She had worked with him before as a publicist, always transactional, always professional. But this time it was different. This was her movie. She didn't tell him that at first. She just sent the pitch like she always did. He said yes. And then he wrote a review that changed everything. Ava talks about growing up in Compton with her aunt Denise, standing outside the Oscars as a little girl getting a thumbs up from Roger Ebert himself, and never imagining she'd one day be the filmmaker he championed. She shares what it felt like to be taken seriously by the critic of a generation, how his belief gave her the confidence to keep going, and why she spoke at his funeral years later. There's also a powerful reflection on what it means to open doors all the way, not just crack them, and why she believes your presence alone is an act of resistance. If you've ever felt unqualified, if you've ever been afraid to ask for help, or if you've ever wondered whether one person's attention could actually change the trajectory of your life, this episode will remind you that sometimes all it takes is someone willing to take you seriously. And sometimes, that's the greatest gift of all. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 Intro: The Girl with the Thumbs Up and Roger Ebert 00:07:47 The Cold Pitch: Sending the Film to Roger Ebert 00:07:17 The Tweet That Changed Everything 00:11:02 The Review: When a Critic Sees Your Soul 00:15:33 I Will Follow: A Film About Aunt Denise 00:29:34 The Power of Being Taken Seriously 00:44:13 From Publicist to Filmmaker: Finding Your Calling at 30 00:41:28 Cinema as Memory: The Power to Rewrite and Heal 00:54:14 Opening Doors All the Way: The Philosophy of True Mentorship 00:58:47 Get On a Moving Train: What It Takes to Earn Help 01:00:54 Leading with Kindness While Demanding Excellence 00:37:39 Speaking at Roger Ebert's Funeral: The Full Circle Moment ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Ava DuVernay Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Griffin Hamilton Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Director of Social: Mariah Maull Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

Before Barry Diller became one of the most powerful media moguls in history, he was a 32 year old television executive that everyone thought was too young, too inexperienced, and completely unqualified to run a major Hollywood studio. One man saw something different. In this deeply personal conversation, the legendary entertainment titan sits down with David Begnaud to share the story of Charlie Bluhdorn, the Austrian immigrant and industrialist who bet everything on him when no one else would. Barry Diller opens up about the moment Charlie Bluhdorn, the volatile and brilliant founder of Gulf+Western, made him chairman of Paramount Pictures at just 32 years old. Barry had never worked in the movie business. He had no connections. And for the first two years, Paramount was dead last among the six major studios. But Charlie never flinched. He had unbreachable faith. That faith gave Barry the space to fail, to figure it out, and eventually to lead Paramount from worst to first for seven straight years, producing Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and some of the most iconic films in cinema history. Barry talks about growing up feeling abandoned by his family, cementing himself shut emotionally, and learning to please others as a survival skill. He shares why he believes in creative conflict over polite debate, and why torturing the process is the only way to get from good to great. There's also a raw and honest reflection on being gay in Hollywood during the AIDS crisis, the guilt he carries for not being louder when it mattered, and how his wife Dionne became the miracle of his life after 50 years together. If you've ever doubted whether you were ready or whether one person's belief could actually change the trajectory of your entire life, this episode will remind you that sometimes the greatest gift someone can give you is faith when the world says no. And sometimes, that's all you need to become unstoppable. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Chapters ☀️ ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Barry Diller Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Griffin Hamilton Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Photography: Foster Parks Theme Music: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

Before 2 Chainz became a Grammy-winning hip hop icon, he was Tauheed Epps, a high-achieving student facing expulsion under a zero tolerance drug policy. One teacher's letter changed everything. In this raw and powerful conversation, the multi-platinum artist sits down with David Begnaud to share the person who believed in him when his future hung in the balance. 2 Chainz opens up about the moment in his senior year when he got into trouble, lost his basketball scholarship offers, and faced permanent expulsion from school. That's when Miss Love, his college prep geometry teacher, stepped in and wrote a letter to the school board with one simple plea: Don't throw this child's life away. Give him a second chance. 2 Chainz talks about growing up in a family where hustling was generational, how he broke that cycle for his own children, and why he believes the voice in his head is God. He shares street lessons that still guide him today, the mistakes that became his superpower, and why he's grateful for every closed door that led him here. There's also an unforgettable moment when David surprises him with a live call to Miss Love, and she reveals something even 2 Chainz didn't know about the impact he had on her. If you've ever felt like your past defined your future, or wondered whether one person's belief could really change everything, this episode will remind you that resilience isn't about avoiding the storm. It's about staying out of the graveyard and out of jail long enough to see another day. And sometimes, that's all you need. Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 2 Chainz: A Story of Belief 00:01:14 The Letter That Changed Everything: Miss Love's Second Chance 00:03:14 Senior Year Trouble: When Everything Almost Fell Apart 00:07:04 The Night Before: When His Mother's Intuition Tried to Warn Him 00:09:43 Six Letters of Support and One That Stood Out 00:13:27 The Surprise Call: Reconnecting with Miss Love in Real Time 00:18:30 The Voice in My Head is God: Learning to Trust Intuition 00:21:52 Women as Superheroes: The Intuition 2Chainz Had to Learn 00:33:54 From Titty Boy to 2Chainz: The Origin of an Iconic Name 00:36:17 Environment vs Choice: What Really Determines Success 00:40:13 Street Lessons That Still Guide Him: Trust, Paranoia, and Survival 00:41:02 What You Have to Unlearn: From Cash to Credit 00:47:49 Breaking Generational Chains: From Bootleg to Legacy 00:55:10 Stay Out the Graveyard, Stay Out of Jail: Advice for the Youth 00:56:59 The Person Who Believed in Me: Miss Love ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called "America's storyteller." In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Get more stories that remind you the world is still good. Sign up for our free newsletter: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com Host: David Begnaud Guest: 2 Chainz Executive Producer: Olivier Delfosse Associate Producer: Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Social: Mariah Maull Director of Photography: Foster Parks Live Production Technician: Joseph Gabay & Will Whitley (Statik Creative) Post-Production: Longwave Digital Theme Music: Slipstream CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast

"Nobody but nobody can make it out here alone." In this powerful conversation, Oprah Winfrey shares how one teacher's attention saved her life during her darkest years and why being "seen" is the greatest gift one human can give another. Most people know Oprah as a voice of wisdom, but she wasn't always the woman we see today. In this premiere episode of "The Person Who Believed In Me," she sits down with Emmy-winning journalist David Begnaud to share the origin of her resilience - the lonely, introverted 13-year-old sitting in a chaotic cafeteria with a book, and the teacher named Mr. Abrams who saw something in her that she hadn't yet seen in herself. The conversation gets honest about the gap between who the world says you are and who you know you can be. Oprah opens up about overcoming the trauma of her youth and the moment she realized her past didn't have to define her future. If you've ever felt invisible or questioned whether you belonged, this conversation will remind you that one person's belief can change everything. It's a reminder that nobody makes it out here alone - and that you might be that person for someone else. Chapters ☀️ Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:05 Discovering a rare photo of Mr Abrams 00:06:04 Finding resilient girls with the it factor 00:09:34 The lunchroom conversations that changed everything 00:12:07 Nobody Makes It Alone: Oprah Reads Maya Angelou's Poem 00:14:07 The Deep Power of Being Truly Seen 00:16:30 Before Oprah Believed in Herself: The Truth She Was Hiding 00:19:34 "I See Something in You and I Know You Can Do Better" 00:25:55 The Contest That Changed Everything: The Barbara Walters Moment 00:36:18 When Did Oprah Truly Begin to Believe in Herself? 00:44:35 "What Are You Running From?" The Teacher Who Changed David's Life ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The Person Who Believed In Me is hosted by David Begnaud, founder and CEO of Do Good Crew and often called “America’s storyteller.” In each episode, David sits down with world-class guests to ask one simple question: Who believed in you before the world did? Big names. Honest stories. Relatable takeaways. Different paths — same question. David is also a CBS News contributor and host of the weekly segment Beg Knows America, which airs every Monday morning. Host: David Begnaud Guest: Oprah Winfrey Executive Producers: Ellen Rocamora, Olivier Delfosse Associate Producers: Griffen Hamilton, Jonah Johnson Booker: Sully Bloch Director of Social: Mariah Maull Director of Photography: Foster Parks Theme Music: Slipstream Get more stories that remind you the world is still good: www.thedogoodcrew.com Thank you to Canva for believing in the power of storytelling and helping us bring this podcast to life: https://canva.com CONNECT WITH US: The Person Who Believed In Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/believedpodcast David Begnaud: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbegnaud/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidbegnaud Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidBegnaud/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@davidbegnaud X: https://x.com/davidbegnaud Do Good Crew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogood/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dogoodstory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogoodstory Oprah Winfrey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oprah/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oprah Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah

The Person Who Believed In Me is a heartfelt podcast that celebrates the unsung heroes behind some of the world's biggest names. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist David Begnaud, this series shines a spotlight on the everyday people who saw potential, offered unwavering support, and changed the trajectory of extraordinary lives. In this trailer, you'll hear from an incredible lineup of guests including Oprah Winfrey, Charlie Puth, Nick Cannon, Barry Diller, Sherry Lansing, Jason Ballard, and 2 Chainz - each sharing powerful glimpses into the people who believed in them before the world knew their names. These weren't just words of encouragement from afar. This was presence. Sacrifice. Dedication. From the music teacher who recognized raw talent, to the parent who refused to let their child settle, to the mentor who saw past society's limitations - these believers changed everything. Every episode features a big-name guest, but the true star is always the ordinary person who saw something extraordinary and chose to nurture it. Join David Begnaud as he explores the profound impact one person's belief can have on another's destiny. Get ready for intimate conversations, emotional revelations, and inspiring stories that remind us all of the power of believing in someone. Host: David Begnaud Created By: David Begnaud A Do Good Crew Production Executive Producer: Ellen Rocamora For Do Good Crew: Executive Producers Olivier Delfosse, David Begnaud, Associate Producer Griffen Hamilton, Editor Jonah Johnson, Booker Sully Bloch Director Of Photography: Foster Parks Music Composed By: Slipstream Post-Production: Longwave Digital