If your 2025 goals include learning a new skill, exploring your creativity, or gaining more confidence professionally, MasterClass should be on your radar. It’s an online education subscription that lets you drop into classes taught by experts across fields including food, art, entrepreneurship, sports, and beyond.
Among the huge names on the MasterClass roster — think Malcolm Gladwell and Hillary Clinton — there are quite a few talented Southerners! Here are some of the best MasterClasses from experts around the South.
Mashama Bailey | Southern Cooking
More Info: masterclass.com
Mashama Bailey is an award-winning chef with an iconic restaurant in Savannah, GA, The Grey. Through 10 video lessons, she teaches you how to replicate her cooking techniques at home, including recipes for everything from pork shank to collard greens to gumbo. She infuses Southern and African-American dishes with an innovative spin and tells stories along the way. Whether or not you’ve watched her episode of Chef’s Table or visited her restaurant (or both!), home cooks and Southern foodies alike will love her series.
Joanna Gaines | Designing a Home That Tells Your Story
More Info: masterclass.com
If you’re looking to make your home cozier or more styled, Joanna Gaines’s class is the perfect solution. The founder of Magnolia discusses her design process and shares tips for bringing your dream home to life, whether you have a tiny apartment or a sprawling farmhouse.
President George W. Bush | Authentic Leadership
More Info: masterclass.com
What’s better than going to a former commander-in-chief for leadership lessons? The White House series on MasterClass features 12 videos with former President George W. Bush discussing the life lessons he’s learned throughout his long career in public service. Along with former First Lady Laura Bush, he discusses how to face challenges and develop an authentic leadership style that’s all your own.
Sara Blakely | Self-Made Entrepreneurship
More Info: masterclass.com
You may know Sara Blakely’s story of entrepreneurship and becoming the world’s youngest female self-made billionaire, but have you heard it directly from her? In 14 videos, Blakely shares how she transitioned from selling fax machines door-to-door to launching the world-renowned Spanx brand. Get ready to learn how to bootstrap your way to success.
Michael W. Twitty | Tracing Your Roots Through Food
More Info: masterclass.com
Michael Twitty went on a culinary journey to learn more about his African-American heritage, sharing everything he learned in his bestseller, The Cooking Gene. He connected his ancestors’ food heritage with his own, and now he shares how others can uncover their own family history through food. There’s incredible power in the dishes we eat — even if we don’t realize it — and Twitty gives incredible meaning to each ingredient that makes its way to the table.
Simone Biles | Gymnastics Fundamentals
More Info: masterclass.com
Simone Biles is largely known as the G.O.A.T. in the gymnastics world — she’s a legend and an inspiration for gymnasts and non-gymnasts alike. Over 17 videos, she shares her impressive techniques for vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor, as well as how she performs under pressure and thrives in competition. It’s a must-watch for gymnasts and athletes of all levels.
Aaron Franklin | Texas-Style BBQ
More Info: masterclass.com
Aaron Franklin started perfecting barbecue in his own back yard. Today, he’s the James Beard Award-winning face behind Franklin Barbecue. Fans of his smoked brisket will wait in line for hours just for a taste of the mouth-watering meat. Over four and a half hours of video lessons offer insight into how he perfects his Central Texas barbecue, including the low and slow process he uses for ribs, pork butt, and brisket.
Reba McEntire | Life, Business, and Country Music
More Info: masterclass.com
Reba McEntire is more than music — she’s an impressive businesswoman and performer. In her MasterClass, she shares lessons on life, business, and country music, as well as a never-before-heard song and an acoustic version of her hit, Fancy. She also performs from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in a classic country music performance.
Coach K | Values-Driven Leadership
More Info: masterclass.com
Whether you love Duke basketball or love to hate it, Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski is indisputably the winningest coach in men’s college basketball history. In 17 video lessons, he shares how he created a formula for leadership and success built on reading body language, identifying talent around you, and constructively delivering difficult feedback.
Robin Roberts | Effective and Authentic Communication
More Info: masterclass.com
As the co-anchor of Good Morning America, Emmy award-winning Robin Roberts is a household name across the country. She’s the person millions of people wake up to, and she’s a beloved presence in American media. Her communication skills are warm and welcoming, and she leverages her own authenticity and vulnerability to connect with both her audience and interviewees. In her MasterClass, she shares how to create genuine connections through communication and live with optimism and resilience.
Happy learning!
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