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Society & Culture

Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin

TODAY’s Craig Melvin brings warmth, humor, and curiosity to intimate conversations from his basement bar. Each week Craig sits down with a celebrity, athlete, comedian or just plain fascinating person to talk about the defining moments, challenges and triumphs that shaped their lives. Expect thoughtful insights, unexpected turns and the type of honesty that feels like catching up with an old friend. And who knows? You might just leave with a fresh perspective…and your glass half full.

Latest Episodes:

Stevie Van Zandt on Recommending Gandolfini for Tony Soprano Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

Stevie Van Zandt sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of "Glass Half Full" to talk about six decades playing alongside Bruce Springsteen, acting in "The Sopranos" and raising awareness of apartheid. He talks about how David Chase offered him a role before he had ever acted and how he auditioned for Tony Soprano before pointing the casting director to James Gandolfini. Van Zandt also opens up about the moment in a South African taxi that turned him from songwriter to activist, leading to protest song "Sun City." Plus, he shares why he still feels like the luckiest guy in the luckiest generation.

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Rob Gronkowski Never Spent a Dollar of His NFL Money Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Rob Gronkowski sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of "Glass Half Full" to talk about grit, trust and what it took to become the greatest tight end to play the game. He opens up about playing in a blizzard in Chicago, how he earned Tom Brady’s trust and his one regret about his early years in the league. Gronk also explains why he never spent his NFL money and how he met his girlfriend at a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. Plus, he makes his case for why Bill Belichick belongs in the Hall of Fame.

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Jalen Brunson on Being a Champion, a Dad, and a Son Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Jalen Brunson sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of "Glass Half Full" to talk about bringing a championship back to New York for the first time in 53 years and why he still won’t call himself the king of the city. He explains why watching his dad grind through non-guaranteed NBA contracts redefined pressure for him, the conversation with Bob Hurley Sr. at 13 that changed how he takes coaching, and why he blocks out praise just as much as criticism. Brunson also opens up about fatherhood and his new children’s book, "Jalen Plays It All." Plus, his mom Sandra confirms she has a secret court side nickname for her son that neither plan to ever share.

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Keith Morrison reads Edgar Allan Poe Stories Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

As a bonus for Glass Half Full fans, we’re sharing the trailer for season 5 of Morrison Mysteries.

Enter the shadowy world of Edgar Allan Poe, brought to life by the unmistakable voice of Dateline’s Keith Morrison. In Season 5 of Morrison Mysteries, experience the mystery and madness of Poe's haunting classics, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat and The Murders in the Rue Morgue.

Just search “Morrison Mysteries” to follow now or click here: swap.fm/l/mmdfd

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Tony Hawk on Nearly Dying, His Skateboarding Empire, and Why He Just Can’t Stop Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Tony Hawk sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of Glass Half Full for a conversation about grit, reinvention, and what it looks like to never quit. He opens up about the years he spent eating Top Ramen and editing skate videos as a side hustle while the industry collapsed, how a chance call from Activision launched a video game franchise worth nearly $2 billion, and the 10-year chase to land the 900 at the X Games. Plus why he still won’t retire at 57 and the one person he is still waiting to skate with.

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Geno Auriemma on Building a Dynasty, the Dawn Staley Rivalry, and Why He Almost Quit in Year One Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

UConn head coach Geno Auriemma sits down with Craig Melvin on this week's episode of Glass Half Full for a conversation about legacy, loyalty, and what it really takes to build something from nothing. He opens up about the night in year one he nearly walked away from it all, the recruiting pitch so honest it probably should not have worked, and why after 12 national championships he still has not figured out how to leave. Geno also sets the record straight on the 2026 Final Four incident with Dawn Staley and makes the case that the Apple TV+ documentary Dynasty shows people what they never see behind the wins. Plus, the best advice he ever received came from his aunt.

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Jose Iglesias on His Broadway Debut, MLB Career and Billboard No. 1 Hit Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Jose Iglesias sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of Glass Half Full for a conversation about grit, second acts, and what it looks like to keep reinventing yourself when nobody told you the rules. He opens up about defecting from Cuba at 17 during a tournament in Toronto, not knowing what an exit sign meant, and signing an $8.25 million deal with the Red Sox. Jose also takes Craig inside the cruise ship conversation that accidentally gave birth to OMG, and why a Broadway phone call made him start sweating in his own kitchen. Plus whether Mets fans should be paying attention right now

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Ryan Clark on Sickle Cell, Getting Fired on Live TV, and Why He Just Can't Stop Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Ryan Clark sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of "Glass Half Full" for a conversation about grit, second acts, and what it really looks like to keep getting up. He opens up about the night in 2006 he thought he was dying from a sickle cell crisis and the moment he decided he would be strong enough to play again, takes Craig inside the commercial break text that ended his ESPN career, and explains how he put together a Netflix deal and an NFL Films partnership in six weeks. Plus the conversation with his son that made him realize no coaching job could ever top being a great dad.

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Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson on Brotherhood, Sneaking Into Bed at 2 a.m. and Running for Governor Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

In this special edition of Glass Half Full, Craig Melvin shares his previous TODAY interview with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson for a conversation about friendship, brotherhood, and the 30-year relationship that became a television show. They open up about the family vacation night when McConaughey's mom dropped a bombshell that started a years-long investigation into whether they might actually be brothers, why Matthew still refuses to take a DNA test, and what Woody did at 2 in the morning after not seeing his best friend for a year. They also get into why McConaughey thinks about running for governor every single day and why their kids have seen almost none of their work despite two of the most celebrated careers in Hollywood between them.Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson on Brotherhood, Sneaking Into Bed at 2 a.m. and Running for Governor

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Margaret Cho on Turning Down ‘Heated Rivalry’ and What It Takes to Stay Funny Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Comedian and trailblazer Margaret Cho sits down with Craig Melvin on this week’s episode of “Glass Half Full” for a candid conversation about resilience, reinvention and what it means to keep going after nearly 40 years in comedy. She opens up about the “Golden Girls” star who made her believe she was going to be OK in Hollywood, how “All-American Girl” gave representation to a generation while quietly destroying her relationship with her body, and the intervention that led her to rehab. Margaret also gets candid about her decades of LGBTQ+ advocacy, which began in her parents’ gay bookstore in San Francisco, and why she turned down a role in “Heated Rivalry,” a decision she now regrets.

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