Self-Evident

Culture Series / 1 Season

Self-Evident is inspired by American Portrait’s central question: “What does it really mean to be an American today?” As the US grapples with COVID-19, widespread social unrest following the killing of George Floyd and a polarizing election, the series explores American challenges and triumphs as we persevere in an especially tough year.

Watch Latest: S1 E11

11m 25s / TV-PG

80-Year-Olds on the Keys to Happiness in 2021

S1 E11 / 11m 25s / TV-PG

Does your grandparent hold the secret to a happier New Year? Because Americans over 80 years old report feeling happier than any other age group, we asked them to share their wisdom as 2021 begins during a time of challenge and uncertainty. These elders include cannabis comedian Tommy Chong, a psychologist, a transgender burlesque performer, and a 90-year-old nudist who lets it all hang out.

Life Without Internet When the Whole World Has Gone Virtual

S1 E10 / 8m 59s / TV-PG

The digital divide in America has become a major problem during the pandemic for the millions of people living without internet access at home and especially impacts children and their education. Take a first-hand look at what life is like for a Utah Navajo family who lives offline, and hear why Khan Academy founder Sal Khan believes that internet access should be considered a basic right.

The Joys (and Challenges) of Living in a Van

S1 E9 / 9m 45s / TV-PG

Meet some Americans from different walks of life who live full time in their vans traveling the country. Whether they are into #vanlife by choice or because of a dire financial situation, they have found freedom on the open road. Some of them think this lifestyle is the wave of the future and many more of us will be joining them on this extreme road trip soon.

I Gave Birth to a Preemie During the Pandemic

S1 E8 / 10m 14s / TV-PG

Becoming a new parent during a global pandemic means expecting even more of the unexpected. This episode full of hope, faith, and perseverance features a couple from The Bronx who documented their pregnancy, their son’s very premature birth, and his subsequent stay in the NICU. Also, YouTuber Rob Kenney has some advice for all parents during this challenging era.

I Met My Mom For The First Time at 50

S1 E7 / 9m 36s / TV-PG

The pandemic has led many of us to be separated from our loved ones for months, leaving us unsure of when we might be able to reunite. But for one adopted New Yorker, COVID-19 nearly derailed a reunion with her birth mother a half-century in the making. In this episode, they tell the story of how they were able to overcome the odds to come together nearly 50 years to the day later.

An Unseen Look Inside the Portland Protests

S1 E6 / 9m 15s / TV-PG

A rarely seen look inside Portland’s protests through the lens of photojournalist Beth Nakamura. Since the uprising in response to George Floyd’s killing began in May 2020, and for the subsequent months, this staff photographer, and the team at The Oregonian newspaper, have captured the unfolding situation in an intimate and nuanced way that is often absent in the national media’s coverage.

Finding Love in Quarantine

S1 E5 / 8m 28s / TV-PG

This episode explores the unexpected ways of finding love and connection in this intense time. Thi Lam and Rance Nix, two single NYC roommates were inspired by reality TV to be quarantine cupids with their "show" Love is Quarantine. Shan Boodram, an intimacy expert and sexologist, gives love and relationship tips and explains how she’s surviving being holed up with her husband while pregnant.

What It’s Like to Reinvent Yourself

S1 E4 / 8m 44s / TV-PG

Whether because of personal desire or necessity, reinvention is a vital part of the American identity. We hear how ex-Amazon warehouse worker Chris Smalls took a stand and set off in a new direction to protect others, and how YouTuber Anthony Padilla found new meaning in his work after leaving behind his hugely successful comedy channel Smosh.

How Musicians are Soundtracking this Weird Year

S1 E3 / 9m 44s / TV-PG

Music is a reflection of our American collective consciousness, so we’re taking a listen to the soundtrack of this moment. We’ll show how producer/artist Ricky Reed (Lizzo, Leon Bridges) and musician/activist Madame Gandhi are creating community through collaboration and finding solidarity in isolation. Hear the music and see a performance that could have only been made in this unique moment.

Behind the Activist

S1 E2 / 11m 20s / TV-PG

Ijeoma Oluo (Author, Educator), Rachel Cargle (Author, Educator, Loveland Foundation), & Elijah Lee (a 12-year-old minister) give us a look at what the life of an anti-racist activist is really like. With unprecedented Black Lives Matter protests happening across the country, America seems poised to perhaps have a reckoning with its history of racial injustice.

Being 10 in 2020

S1 E1 / 12m 3s / TV-PG

Every ten-year-old kid goes through big changes, all while simultaneously learning to navigate and understand the wider world. By nature, this makes them incredibly resilient and adaptable. Could their resilience give them an edge when it comes to taking on the huge shifts happening in 2020? Self-Evident: A PBS American Portrait Miniseries

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