Desiree Akhavan has battled self-doubt to realise her dream as a director. But in a medium with few opportunities for fresh voices, she knows that success is never straightforward.
Artist-turned-journalist Molly Crabapple shares the wisdom that led her to become one of the most determined – and effective – political voices of our time.
Philly rock band Nothing have braved a tough road – from death and beatdowns to prison and scandal – but now that they’ve reached their apex, frontman Domenic Palermo is making peace with chaos.
When a 20-year-old decided to put on a series of illegal shows in the desert, bands like Sonic Youth, Minutemen and the Meat Puppets agreed to play. The rest became music history.
As an outsider growing up in a religious town, photographer Peyton Fulford explored her sexuality in secret. Then she found a tribe of fiercely open friends
On icy roads and frozen lakes, Finland's youth are racing customised cars salvaged from scrap. The goal is to destroy the competition, but the reward lies in a tight-knit community fighting off boredom.
From human rights lawyer to well-respected DJ, every step in Nabihah Iqbal’s unconventional life has equipped her to become an artist unafraid to challenge stereotypes.
Young people across the world are refusing to be ignored and downtrodden: a generation determined to build something better, something bolder, something new.
Lindsey Jordan sparked a wave of hype at just 16. Now that her debut album is about to justify that excitement, she’s focused on a slow-burning success.
In a remote corner of Pakistan, a wave of female climbers are conquering monumental peaks for the first time – overcoming social barriers and setting records in the process.
Nora Vasconcellos' dream was to turn pro on her own terms. Now that she’s become Adidas' first female rider, it's time the industry caught up with reality.
After taking a road-trip across the US with his best friend, skater Maximón Monihan realised that true success is doing what you love, regardless of reward.
For over 40 years, this old-school boxing club has been a hub of rebirth and redemption. But step back from the success stories and a different picture emerges.
After a difficult upbringing and a foray into petty crime, Supaman found himself – and his purpose – through hip hop. Now he’s determined to elevate other voices.
Working in high-end kitchens, King Cook was on the fast-track to burn out until he got stabbed on the streets of East London, forcing him to start over.
Activist Erricka Bridgeford can’t stop the killings, but through a ceasefire campaign built on compassion, she’s leading a decades-long quest for change.
Fun? No thanks. The cut-throat record business? Love it. Painstaking perfectionism? If only. Welcome to the mysterious world of Lawrence: the pop star that fame forgot.
The Furry fandom has been marred by controversy. But one insider is trying to change that, illuminating an inclusive community that just wants to have fun.
Wrestling is flourishing in unexpected places all across Britain. It’s a low-budget, high-energy world where DIY daredevils band together in the belief that teamwork makes the dream work – no matter how unlikely it seems.
Artist Tabita Rezaire is as unconventional as it gets. Using a mix of technology and traditional African practices, she’s determined to counteract the oppressive forces of the internet – finding herself in the process.
Vitaliy Raskalov overcame his fear of heights by scaling the world’s tallest buildings, ignoring any need for safety, until he found a new path in life.
Every time cover band On A Saturday perform, they briefly transform into their idols. But this isn’t just an uncanny simulation – it’s a moment of togetherness shared with other fans.
Rebecca Sugar’s vision of a magical boy has turned into a socially conscious phenomenon that has fun with big topics. Now the challenge is to keep growing.
Twin Peaks' cancellation left fans in limbo for 25 years. Now that a long-awaited return has cemented its cult status, co-creator Mark Frost is finally ready to offer some closure.
Silvia Castro Pérez pursued her dream job as an architect until it felt like a creative dead-end. Then she taught herself how to tattoo, opening up a new world of possibilities.
Growing up between two countries, Dominic Bracco II knows people who walk a fine line between right and wrong. He put down his camera and scripted the space in-between.
Photographer Mathias Depardon was arrested in Turkey while on assignment for National Geographic, accused of being a spy. But what came next was even harder.
Growing up without a fixed place to call home, Laura El-Tantawy found liberation in the form of a camera; developing an eye that helped her reconnect with her native Egypt.
Gregory Crewdson is not the kind of photographer who carries a camera. Instead he uses Hollywood-sized productions to create perfect moments that feel both inexplicably personal and profoundly cathartic.
Lisette Poole spent 51 days documenting two Cuban women's migration to the US, travelling illegally through 11 countries via smugglers and roadless jungles.
By day, Ryan Staley works in the buttoned-down world of corporate law. But his free time is spent on the streets of LA, focusing his untrained eye on an ‘alternate reality’ that only he can see.
The South African photographer places herself centre stage in Hail the Dark Lioness, drawing on experiences of homophobia and hate crimes that impact her own community.
Spanish photographer Laia Abril is on a mission to map the systems that control women’s lives, reminding us that there are consequences to every action.
When sociologist Steven Dubin discovered a collection of studio portraits from apartheid South Africa, it brought to light an unknown photographer who empowered others to resist.
Gordon Parks used his camera as a ‘weapon’ to fight racism, intolerance and poverty – paving the way for others to blur the line between artist and activist.
This week, the government is asking the public to share their thoughts on vital new rights for trans people. This could be a huge step forward – but only if our allies speak out.
We head to the fifth anniversary of cult drag night Boi Box to hear more about the forgotten world of drag kings, and why they deserve the same acclaim as their onstage sisters.
In the ’70s, James J. Goodwin wrote the definitive guide on growing your own Marijuana, offering back-to-basics lessons on indoor and outdoor cultivation.
