Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe is a love letter to Black storytellers in entertainment. Emmy Award-winning writer, actor, and producer Lena Waithe sits down with trailblazers like Phylicia Rashad, Loretta Devine, Ava DuVernay and more to discuss their creative process, their journey, and how they became the incredible people they are today. Legacy Talk is more than just a series of interviews; it’s a documentation of the stories and experiences of artists who shifted narratives, broken barriers, and inspired a generation.
Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe, from Hillman Grad and Lemonada Media, is available on all platforms. And if you want to see all the magic unfold, catch the full episodes on YouTube.
Lena Waithe interviews Phylicia Rashad about her iconic career, the generations of women who influenced her, and how artistry explores the human experience.
7 Oct 2025
Building a Legacy with Bill Duke
Lena Waithe interviews Bill Duke, who reflects on his impactful career in film and television, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and authentic storytelling.
30 Sept 2025
Building a Legacy with Kym Whitley
Lena Waithe interviews Kym Whitley, who shares how she built a career on fearless humor and unforgettable characters, embracing her softer side, and finding freedom in comedy.
23 Sept 2025
Building a Legacy with Lela Rochon
Lena Waithe interviews Lela Rochon, a prominent actress, who reflects on her career, discussing her roles in iconic films and her determination to be recognized for both beauty and talent.
16 Sept 2025
Building a Legacy with Cree Summer
Lena Waithe interviews Cree Summer, a voice actor and actress, who shares her experiences overcoming stigmas and landing iconic roles in television and animation.
9 Sept 2025
Building a Legacy with Loretta Devine
Host Lena Waithe interviews iconic actress Loretta Devine about her enduring career, navigating industry challenges, and evolving as a woman in Hollywood.
2 Sept 2025
Building a Legacy with Vivica A. Fox
Host Lena Waithe interviews actress Vivica A. Fox about her four-decade career, sharing insights on navigating Hollywood and building a legendary path.
26 Aug 2025
Building a Legacy with Robert Townsend
Host Lena Waithe interviews comedian, actor, writer, and director Robert Townsend about his influential career and pioneering work in Black Hollywood.
19 Aug 2025
Building a Legacy with Ava DuVernay
Host Lena Waithe interviews director and filmmaker Ava DuVernay about building a legacy, working with limited resources, and finding inspiration in history.
12 Aug 2025
Building a Legacy with Yvette Lee Bowser
Host Lena Waithe interviews pioneering writer and producer Yvette Lee Bowser about her career journey and what it takes to tell impactful television stories.
5 Aug 2025
Building a Legacy with Taraji P. Henson
Lena Waithe interviews Taraji P. Henson, who reflects on her iconic roles and the cultural impact of her work in film and television, highlighting the importance of leading with grace and embracing one's own strength.
29 Jul 2025
Building a Legacy with Tisha Campbell
Lena Waithe interviews Tisha Campbell, exploring Campbell's career, her friendship with Tichina Arnold, and her experiences on the show Martin, revealing insights into resilience and lasting impact.
17 Dec 2024
Building a Legacy with Debbie Allen
In the final episode of Season 1 of Legacy Talk, Lena speaks with the influence behind many of the women who have been on the show already: the inimitable Debbie Allen. Debbie says she's not a workaholic, but she certainly has amassed quite a list of credits and accolades, including Emmy awards, Tony nominations, and a trailblazing Golden Globe win. In this conversation, she shares with Lena some of the best advice she's received over her storied career -- including a meaningful moment with Bob Fosse -- and Lena brings Debbie to tears by reflecting on the lasting impact that Debbie's role in the TV movie Polly had on her life and career.
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10 Dec 2024
Building a Legacy with Jenifer Lewis
This week, Lena is talking to the mother of Black Hollywood herself -- the one and only Jenifer Lewis, star of screen and stage. Of course the conversation has to start with the Broadway production of Dreamgirls, where Jenifer originated the role of Effie that was ultimately taken over by Jennifer Holliday, but the two hit all the highlights of Jenifer's incredible career, from A Different World to Black-ish to her unforgettable performance as Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got To Do With It. There is singing, there is impersonation, there is laughter, there are behind-the-scenes tidbits involving Tupac Shakur and Whitney Houston -- it's a can't-miss conversation.
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3 Dec 2024
Building a Legacy with Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith is a true multi-hyphenate: a prolific actress on TV and film, a business maven, a talented musician, and an Emmy-winning talk show host. But her star first started to rise when she was cast on A Different World, where her character, Lena James, was named for Lena Horne -- just like Lena Waithe was. These two Lenas catch up this week on the importance of physicality in acting, some of Jada's most influential co-stars from over the years, and how she navigated filming some of her most intimate scenes.
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26 Nov 2024
Building a Legacy with Mara Brock Akil
Lena welcomes Mara Brock Akil this week, the legendary TV producer and writer behind shows like Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane, among many others. She tells Lena about the exploration of classism in her storytelling and the complexities of her most notable characters, the importance of living and working in beautiful places, and the crucial role of mentors throughout her career. They also dig into one of the most unique dynamics in show business: the personalities and alchemy of a writer's room.
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19 Nov 2024
Building a Legacy with Gina Prince-Bythewood
This week, Lena is asking the hard questions of Gina Prince-Bythewood -- the incredible director whose name is synonymous with her first feature film, Love & Basketball. Fun fact -- Lena was also Gina's assistant back in the day! Neither Gina nor Lena ever gets sick of talking about Love & Basketball, but the two also touch on the importance of positive self-talk, the alchemy of a good soundtrack, and the women Gina partners with project after project, both behind the scenes and on screen.
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12 Nov 2024
Building a Legacy with Sheryl Lee Ralph
Sheryl Lee Ralph grew up in the 1960s. She knows what it is like to have limits placed upon her because of the color of her skin. And yet -- she has pursued her life dream. From Dreamgirls to Moesha to Abbott Elementary, she has brought some of the most powerful Black women on stage and screen to life. On the first episode of Legacy Talk, Lena and Sheryl delve into where Sheryl takes inspiration for her characters, the impact of the AIDS crisis on her work, why Sister Act 2 was a successful sequel, and the changes she's seen throughout her four decade career in Hollywood.
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24 Oct 2024
Introducing Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe (Official Trailer)
Emmy-winning writer, actor and producer Lena Waithe (Master of None, The Chi) presents Legacy Talk, a series of conversations celebrating the brilliance and artistry of some of the most iconic Black women in entertainment. Join Lena as she sits down with powerhouses like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jada Pinkett Smith, Debbie Allen, and more, as they explore how these legends shaped the industry and inspired a generation. They’ll dive into their creative process, how they prepared for their roles, and the legacy they continue to build.
Informative, inspiring and unforgettable– lock into your legacy with Legacy Talk. Coming November 12th.
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Who has been a guest on Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Phylicia Rashad
Bill Duke
Kym Whitley
Lela Rochon
Cree Summer
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
80 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
31 ratings
Contact Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe
Who hosts Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe?
Lena Waithe host the show. Published by Hillman Grad & Lemonada Media.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe?
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