Jurnee Smollett – Emmy-nominated actress known for Lovecraft Country, Friday Night Lights, The Great Debaters, and Apple TV+’s Smoke – has spent her life in front of the camera. But long before the accolades, she was a young girl raised in a home where art, activism, and self-reliance were daily lessons. 

In this deeply personal conversation, Jurnee sits down with hosts Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger to reflect on the moments that nearly pulled her away from acting – and the calling that brought her back. Joined by her plus one, sister Jazz Smollett, she opens up about growing up in a house of creators, refusing roles that didn’t reflect her standards, navigating insecurity, and redefining strength after motherhood. 

Together, they share how: 
Failure can redirect you toward your true calling 
Refusing to conform can protect your purpose 
Strength is about discipline and willpower—not appearance 
Motherhood expands who you are—it doesn’t diminish you 
Art can heal both the artist and the audience 

Don’t miss an episode – subscribe now to catch new episodes every Tuesday. 

Jurnee Smollett &ndash; Emmy-nominated&nbsp;actress&nbsp;known for&nbsp;Lovecraft Country,&nbsp;Friday Night Lights,&nbsp;The Great Debaters, and Apple TV+&rsquo;s&nbsp;Smoke &ndash;&nbsp;has&nbsp;spent her life in front of the camera. But long before the accolades, she was a young girl raised in a home where art, activism, and self-reliance were daily lessons.&nbsp;
In this deeply personal conversation, Jurnee sits down with hosts Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger to reflect on the moments that nearly pulled her away from acting &ndash; and the calling that brought her back. Joined by her plus one, sister Jazz Smollett, she&nbsp;opens up&nbsp;about growing up in a house of creators, refusing roles that&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;reflect her standards, navigating insecurity, and redefining strength after motherhood.&nbsp;
Together, they share how:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Failure can redirect you toward your true calling&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Refusing to conform can protect your purpose&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Strength is about discipline and willpower&mdash;not appearance&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Motherhood expands who you are&mdash;it&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;diminish you&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Art can heal both the artist and the audience&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Don&rsquo;t&nbsp;miss an episode &ndash; subscribe now to catch new episodes every Tuesday.&nbsp;

Step inside the lives of extraordinary individuals with My Legacy – the conversation redefining what it means to create a living legacy.  

Hosted by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger, each episode uncovers the untold stories behind groundbreaking achievements and profound personal struggles — brought to life by those who lived them, and those who walked the journey alongside them. 

This isn’t just another celebrity interview. Each guest brings their “plus one” – a friend, family member, mentor, or trusted confidant who helped shape their path. Together, they offer an intimate window into the trials, triumphs, and truths that define a legacy. 

Join us every Tuesday for unforgettable conversations with remarkable guests like Gloria Steinem, Deepak Chopra, Mel Robbins, Billy Porter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, David Oyelowo, Sophia Bush, Jay Shetty, Martin Sheen, and many more. Then tune in Thursdays for bonus drops – powerful follow-ups, behind-the-scenes moments, and deeper reflections that take the conversation even further. 

Extraordinary lives. Inspiring lessons. This is My Legacy. 

Step inside the lives of extraordinary individuals with My Legacy &ndash; the conversation redefining what it means to create a living legacy.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Hosted by Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger, each episode uncovers the untold stories behind groundbreaking achievements and profound personal struggles &mdash; brought to life by those who lived them, and those who walked the journey alongside them.&nbsp;
This isn&rsquo;t just another celebrity interview. Each guest brings their &ldquo;plus one&rdquo; &ndash; a friend, family member, mentor, or trusted confidant who helped shape their path. Together, they offer an intimate window into the trials, triumphs, and truths that define a legacy.&nbsp;
Join us every Tuesday for unforgettable conversations with remarkable guests like Gloria Steinem, Deepak Chopra, Mel Robbins, Billy Porter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, David Oyelowo, Sophia Bush, Jay Shetty, Martin Sheen, and many more. Then tune in Thursdays for bonus drops &ndash; powerful follow-ups, behind-the-scenes moments, and deeper reflections that take the conversation even further.&nbsp;
Extraordinary lives. Inspiring lessons. This is My Legacy.&nbsp;

My Legacy Podcast

Jurnee Smollett Plus One: Raised to Create, Refusing to Settle

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/749a229b-31a6-4e25-8370-b3fb00301816/transcript