Always zig when people expect you to zag. Confound them!

There is nothing worse than doing nothing and saying nothing when your voice is needed.

Step out of the space you're in. Use fear to grow. We can change lives, starting with our own.

If you can tell a story well, you can move people to do something.

Stories are more than compelling facts. People remember stories more than they remember statistics.

My advice to young women who are looking to be successful; make sure you're passionate about whatever it is that you're doing. And make sure you're fulfilled by the opportunities within your job.

One thing that's certain: around the corner from every ugly thing, there's something really beautiful. If we stop at every bitter interaction; we'll never reach our destination.

One thing we can do really well for our students is to help them figure out their identity.

Is the capacity for cruelty inherent in all of us?

It is a sad day for our country when the moral foundation of our law and the acknowledgment of God has to be hidden from public view to appease a federal judge.

It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about what's "too much" what's "enough" or if you're telling the "right" stories, just do good work.

It just occurred to me that there are some beautiful shots [in Rent Control] with the World Trade Center in the background.

The door on which we have been knocking all our lives will open at last.

I create my success from within

In such diffused changes of culture two factors are necessary: contact and understanding.

Every jackass going the roads thinks he has ideas.

The lifeblood of my career has been independent film.

When we went up against teams that were better, I just hoped that we could steal the victories.

I'm so thankful that I've had such a long and uninterrupted [knocks wood] career... I count my blessings every day for that because it was so fulfilling.

The question now is how best to help the Iraqi people build a democratic and free Iraqi society that ensures respect for the rights of all Iraqis.

If your label won't let you have the cover you want or sing the songs you want, then leave!