PBS Videos

In Pursuit: Lessons of American Leadership | Full Documentary - October 28, 2026 - PBS
What can history teach us about leadership? In a special documentary based on More Perfect’s In Pursuit, @RETROREPORT explores lessons from America’s presidents and first ladies through new voices, archival material and documentary storytelling.
In Pursuit: Lessons of American Leadership | Full Episode
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In Pursuit: Lessons of American Leadership
The special and digital series feature segments inspired by the essays and interviews of some of the nation’s most respected voices, including: retired General Stanley McChrystal reflects on Ulysses S. Grant as a model of leadership grounded in service rather than personal ambition. Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch considers Martin Van Buren’s role in building the modern American political system. And documentary filmmaker Ken Burns reflects on Franklin Roosevelt’s empathetic leadership during the Great Depression and World War II.
Additional insights feature Chief Justice John Roberts on William Howard Taft, Judy Woodruff on Rosalynn Carter, Douglas Brinkley on Barack Obama, David Brooks on Ronald Reagan, Anita McBride on Bess Truman, Sean Wilentz on Bill Clinton, and Lindsay Chervinsky on John Quincy Adams.
In addition to the broadcast special and digital series, Retro Report has developed free educational resources tied to the In Pursuit project, available at retroreport.org, designed to bring civic learning into classrooms nationwide. The In Pursuit essay series is accompanied by a companion podcast, “In Pursuit with Colleen Shogan,” produced by PRX and available on all major podcast platforms.
About Retro Report
Retro Report is an Emmy Award-winning nonprofit newsroom dedicated to producing documentary journalism and educational resources. Retro Report has produced two prime-time television series for PBS, including the IDA award winning “Citizen Nation,” and has been recognized with 15 Emmy Award nominations, 14 Edward R. Murrow Awards, 12 Webbys, a Gerald Loeb Award and others. Feature-length documentaries include “Enemies of the People,” “How Saba Kept Singing” and, for FRONTLINE, “Baby Brokers,” “Crisis on Campus,” “Facing Eviction,” “Massacre in El Salvador,” “Forever Prison,” and “American Reckoning,” which was nominated for a 2023 Peabody Award. Retro Report has created more than 300 short documentaries in partnership with The New York Times, The New Yorker, PBS NewsHour, Independent Lens, Scientific American and many others. Retro Report’s free educational resources reach more than 3 million students each month
About More Perfect
More Perfect is a bipartisan alliance of 44 Presidential Centers, National Archives Foundation, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Karsh Institute for Democracy at the University of Virginia, and more than 100 organizations working together to advance five foundational Democracy Goals: 1) Universal Civic Learning; 2) Expanding National Service & Volunteering; 3) Bridging Divides & Building Trust; 4) Trusted Elections & More Representative and Responsive Governance; and 5) Access to Trusted News & Information.
About In Pursuit
In Pursuit is led by CEO Colleen Shogan, former Archivist of the United States & Senior Advisor to More Perfect & Senior Fellow in Civics at Stand Together; and Co-Chaired by John Bridgeland, More Perfect Founder & CEO and former Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council under President George W. Bush; Anita McBride, Director, First Ladies Initiative at American University and former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, and Mark Updegrove, President & CEO of the LBJ Foundation and Presidential Historian for ABC News; with Vice Chair Andrew Mangino, an award-winning social entrepreneur.
The AI Revolution is Here. Now What? | Breaking the Deadlock | Full Episode | PBS - October 28, 2026 - PBS
Official website: https://to.pbs.org/3ZsIPN5 | #DeadlockPBS
What happens when technology advances faster than the rules governing it?
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in our daily lives, Americans will face a fundamental question: will we control the technology, or will it control us? Can its transformative benefits outweigh the risks to jobs, privacy, democracy, and even our humanity? Through a series of hypothetical dilemmas, prominent voices from technology, culture, politics, and journalism debate the ethical challenges posed by AI and search for common understanding about the profound stakes of a rapidly evolving technology.
This program was recorded live at The New York Historical Society. Learn more at www.nyhistory.org
Funding for BREAKING the DEADLOCK was made possible in part by PBS viewers.
Panelists:
Campbell Brown, Co-founder and CEO, Forum AI
Astead W. Herndon, Host and Educational Director, Vox.com
Joe Manchin III, Former US Senator, West Virginia
Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO
Michael Novogratz, CEO / Founder, Galaxy
Hon. Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio
Max Tegmark, MIT Professor, Founder and Chair of Future of Life Institute
Josh Tyrangiel, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
For bios of the panelists, please visit
https://www.pbs.org/show/deadlock/
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:09 When AI Moves Next Door
04:51 AI's Expanding Influence: Policing and the Press
9:58 A Town Divided Over AI
17:32 An AI Agent Goes Rogue
27:40 When AI Comes for Your Job
35:53 When Your Child Trusts AI
40:24 Should We Pause AI?
49:12 AI and the Next Decade
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Breaking the Deadlock
UC Davis Law Professor Aaron Tang, guides a diverse panel of participants through hypothetical scenarios sparking bold, civil debate on America’s toughest issues.
Why Arkansas Chose Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash for Statues in the U.S. Capitol | Full Documentary - October 26, 2026 - PBS
"Unveiled" celebrates the enduring legacies of two of Arkansas's most iconic figures. Daisy Bates, who courageously led the fight for civil rights, and Johnny Cash, whose music captured the soul of America, are immortalized in bronze in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. Explore the profound impact of their lives on history, from their humble beginnings to their lasting influence.
Unveiled: Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash | Full Documentary
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More about the subjects of this documentary:
Daisy Lee Gatson Bates (1914-1999) was born in Huttig, Arkansas. She was an NAACP leader and led the school integration movement in Arkansas during the civil rights era. Bates served as an advocate and counselor for the nine students who were part of the historic desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. She is one of the first African American women honored with a sculpture in National Statuary Hall.
Singer and songwriter John R. "Johnny" Cash (1932-2003) was born in Kingsland, Arkansas. A towering figure in American music, he sold 90 million records during his career; was inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame; and became known as a champion of the working class, of Native Americans, and of those whom life had dealt a tough hand. Cash’s statue is the first of a musician in National Statuary Hall.
Chicago to Joplin, Missouri | Full Episode 1 | The Great Muslim American Roadtrip - October 22, 2026 - PBS
Watch more: https://to.pbs.org/3Q2t5Ju
Join Mona Haydar and husband Sebastian Robins as they drive the first leg of Route 66 and discover America's Muslim roots, a history that goes back to the 1800s. Along the way, the young couple experience some tests in their relationship.
Life is a Highway: Chicago to Joplin, Missouri | The Great Muslim American Roadtrip
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The Great Muslim American Roadtrip
Follow a millennial Muslim American couple on a cross-country journey along historic Route 66. As they meet new friends and explore more than a dozen stops, Mona and Sebastian weave a colorful story about what it means to be Muslim in America today.
Should We Ban Partisan Gerrymandering? | Civics Made Easy - October 21, 2026 - PBS
Your vote should count as much as anyone else’s. But in most states, lawmakers draw the political districts, and they do it to help their party win elections. It’s called partisan gerrymandering. Ben Sheehan and Princeton’s Sam Wang explain how it works and why it’s legal. Then, Katie Fahey shares how her social media post caused Michigan to let citizens draw the districts instead of politicians.
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Civics Made Easy
Hosted by Ben Sheehan, this series breaks down the complex world of American government and civic participation. Each episode transforms intricate concepts into clear, digestible lessons, equipping viewers with the essential knowledge to actively participate in their democracy. Designed to empower and inform, the series makes understanding civics both accessible and engaging for all.
Mon Laferte Performs "Vida Normal" | Hispanic Heritage Awards - October 17, 2026 - PBS
Chilean-Mexican singer-songwriter Mon Laferte performs "Vida Normal" live at the Hispanic Heritage Awards. A candid song about mental health and everyday life. Recently, Billboard named ⁨@Monlaferte one of the greatest female Latin pop artists of all time.
Watch more: https://www.pbs.org/show/hispanic-heritage-awards/
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39th Hispanic Heritage Awards (2026)
Celebrate Latino culture and pride as the cermony (@hispanicheritage) moves to Minneapolis to celebrate the People of Minnesota (Humanitarian Award) alongside icons like Oscar D’León (Legenda Award), Mon Laferte (Social Justice Award), Eladio Carrión (Inspira Award), and Ximena Sariñana (Music Award). Hosted by comedienne Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, with special performances by Los Tigres Del Norte!
Aparna Nancherla on Being a Shy Kid | The Drawing Room with Mo Welch - October 16, 2026 - PBS
Aparna Nancherla was a shy kid with serious stage fright, so naturally she became a stand-up comic. Aparna tells Mo Welch all about childhood public speaking classes, bombing between two punk bands, and explains why "who cares" became her favorite advice. Plus: Mo and Aparna draw horses.
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The Drawing Room with Mo Welch
What happens when interviews become art projects? Comedian and illustrator Mo Welch invites notable guests to join her at the easel, turning conversations into creative collaborations. This non-traditional PBS series puts Mo’s full talents on display, blending humor, vulnerability, and artistry as she and her guest draw each other out—literally and figuratively.
Africa's Golden City | Full Episode | Secrets of the Dead - October 15, 2026 - PBS
Watch more: https://to.pbs.org/3mHxfbj | #SecretsDeadPBS
Great Zimbabwe was one of the most prominent ancient civilizations of the African continent. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries by ancestors of today’s Shona people, it was the thriving capital of a massive trading empire — but for hundreds of years was dismissed by European explorers. Now, new archeological discoveries are revealing the true scope of the ancient city's global importance.
Africa's Golden City | Secrets of the Dead
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Secrets of the Dead on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofthedead
#SecretsoftheDead #africa #zimbabwe #archaeology
Secrets of the Dead
Part detective story, part true-life drama, @secretsofthedead unearths evidence from around the world, challenging prevailing ideas and throwing fresh light on unexplained events.
Why America’s Founders Feared Direct Democracy - October 14, 2026 - PBS
Democracy is a word we hear a lot. But is it actually America’s system of government? Didn’t the founders say we’re a republic? Ben Sheehan traces both ideas back to ancient Athens and Rome, follows how voting rights grew, and asks Stanford constitutional scholar Eugene Volokh to settle the debate. Plus, three Americans share how they show up for democracy.
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Civics Made Easy
Hosted by Ben Sheehan, this series breaks down the complex world of American government and civic participation. Each episode transforms intricate concepts into clear, digestible lessons, equipping viewers with the essential knowledge to actively participate in their democracy. Designed to empower and inform, the series makes understanding civics both accessible and engaging for all.
Inside a Lost Route 66 Motel Found in the Weeds | American Lens - October 13, 2026 - PBS
Route 66 represents the best of Americana to Roamin’ Rich Dinkela and he’s spent the last twenty years on the Route documenting its landmarks, past and present. But in all those years, he had never heard of the Shamrock Court just outside Sullivan, Missouri. Built in the 1940s, the Shamrock had been long-abandoned and was hidden under a thicket of high weeds when Rich stumbled upon it in 2021.
Watch Capturing America - The Carol Highsmith Story: https://www.pbs.org/show/capturing-america-the-carol-highsmith-story/
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Capturing America - The Carol Highsmith Story
For more than 40 years, Carol Highsmith wakes up every single day with one mission: to document every nook and cranny of the United States, from its majestic mountains and quirky roadside attractions to its most unforgettable characters, known and unknown.
The Hidden Black Towns Built Right After Slavery | Full Documentary | Raise Your Head Up - October 12, 2026 - PBS
After the American Civil War, over four million formerly enslaved people were set free, but most had no place to go. Wanting some autonomy over their own lives, many formed Freedom Colonies in an endeavor to live as far away from the racism of Jim Crow as possible. In 1988, documentary photographer Richard Orton began a decades-long project that followed the descendants of four of these communities. This documentary explores their accomplishments, along with the challenges they face to keep these legacies alive.
RAISE YOUR HEAD UP: FREEDOM COLONIES IN AMERICA | Full Documentary
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Why Olivia Rodrigo Wants You to Listen to her New Album on Vinyl | Austin City Limits - October 9, 2026 - PBS
Watch more: https://to.pbs.org/42kz0lc | #acltv
Olivia Rodrigo sits down backstage at Austin City Limits to talk about her unlikely friendship with The Cure’s Robert Smith, the story behind her third album "you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love", and why she wants fans to listen from start to finish.
Five years after debuting Sour on Austin City Limits, @OliviaRodrigo is back for another first full-length live performance of her newest album. Watch on PBS: https://to.pbs.org/42kz0lc
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About Austin City Limits
A monument to music, @AustinCityLimitsTV has showcased iconic performances from legends and innovators in every genre of popular song for a remarkable five decades. The series is the inspiration for the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival and has earned countless accolades for its quality presentation of live music performances, including a Peabody Award, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame designation and it remains the only TV series awarded the National Medal of Arts.
The Climate Paradox: Why New York City Is Greener Than You Think - October 8, 2026 - PBS
Many people see New York City as an environmental problem. Experts argue the opposite: New Yorkers use less energy, drive less, and have smaller carbon footprints than most Americans. But as Superstorm Sandy revealed, coastal cities like NYC may face some of climate change's greatest dangers.
This excerpt comes from "The Future of Cities" and installment of "New York: A Documentary Film". Follow New York’s stunning transformation in the decades since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As the city reckons with multiple major crises, including financial collapse, Superstorm Sandy, and a devastating pandemic, it defies the predictions of doomsayers and rebuilds—emerging each time more resilient.
Watch the full film: https://www.pbs.org/show/new-york-a-documentary-film/
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NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY FILM
Explore the story of New York from the end of the 20th century through the first quarter of the 21st—one of the most dramatic, demanding and transformational periods in the city’s history. In this two-part follow-up to the landmark 8-part NEW YORK: A DOCUMENTARY FILM, witness an epic portrait of America’s largest city through decades of challenge, growth and change. WATCH: https://www.pbs.org/show/new-york-a-documentary-film/