Each week we choose a theme. Then anything can happen. This American Life is true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Personal stories with funny moments, big feelings, and surprising plot twists. Newsy stories that try to capture what it’s like to be alive right now. It’s the most popular weekly podcast in the world, and winner of the first ever Pulitzer Prize for a radio show or podcast. Hosted by Ira Glass and produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago.
This episode explores the challenges of navigating chaos and uncertainty, particularly within the context of political and social upheaval. The first segment focuses on a scientist who meticulously tracks the disruption of scientific meetings due to a freeze on research grants, highlighting the impact on scientific pr...
This episode explores the Ten Commandments, examining their enduring relevance and impact across various contexts. The host, Ira Glass, begins by presenting diverse interpretations of the commandments, ranging from gold miners' rules to those for umpires and even math teachers. Against this backdrop of varied applica...
This episode explores the systemic failures in the investigation of hit-and-run cases involving Native American victims on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. The story centers on the tragic death of Mika Westwolf, a young Native woman killed by a white driver, Sunny White. Against the backdrop of historical d...
This episode explores the unexpected and far-reaching consequences of seemingly insignificant words, focusing on three distinct cases. The first segment investigates a 1960s letter to the New England Journal of Medicine that, despite being later revealed as a prank, ignited a decades-long misconception about MSG's har...
This episode explores the changing socio-political landscape of America, focusing on the removal of the Black Lives Matter mural in Washington D.C. and its unexpected resonance. Against this backdrop, the hosts discuss the reactions of various individuals to the removal, ranging from indifference to active participati...
This American Life episode features a live show recording with humorous anecdotes about the invisible made visible. The show begins with Ryan Knighton's comical struggles navigating a hotel room due to his blindness, highlighting the unexpected challenges of daily life. It then transitions to Tig Notaro's repeated, i...
This American Life episode features interviews exploring the concept of seeking advice from highly specialized experts. It begins with a child's insightful questions about car chase movie stunts answered by a stunt coordinator, highlighting the importance of safety measures. The episode then shifts to a comedian whose...
This episode explores the nature of origin stories and how they are often embellished or even fabricated. The discussion begins with an examination of the common American myth of the garage startup, contrasting the popular narrative with the reality that most entrepreneurs gain experience and make crucial connections ...
This American Life episode explores the perspectives of autistic individuals on the prevalence and nature of lying in neurotypical society. The interview features Kasey, an autistic person, discussing her experiences with and understanding of deception, contrasting it with neurotypical social conventions. Kasey's per...
This American Life episode features an interview with Zach Mack, who recounts a unique bet with his father. The bet involved ten predictions about 2024 political events, with a $10,000 wager. Zach's father, deeply entrenched in online conspiracy theories, believed his predictions would prove his worldview correct; Za...
This American Life episode discusses the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the US. The podcast features two stories: the firing of a Black high school principal for an email expressing hope about racial dialogue, and the banning of a children's book by a Black author due to claims ...
This American Life episode focuses on breakups, exploring the complex emotions involved. The episode features interviews with Starlee Kine, who sought advice from Phil Collins on writing a breakup song; an eight-year-old girl who wrote to Mayor Koch about her parents' divorce; and a divorce lawyer who advocates for co...
This American Life episode explores the theme of repetition, examining how repeating actions can be both detrimental and beneficial. The podcast features interviews with individuals who engage in repeated actions, such as watching the same movie every year for their birthday or participating in a decades-long game wit...
This podcast episode explores thought-provoking questions and their implications in various contexts: from same-sex couples navigating stereotypes to meticulous questions used in relationships and understanding dementia. It delves into the use of the "Beyonce question" as a measure of attitudes towards black women and ...
This This American Life episode explores the concept of "pivot points" – moments before significant life changes. The show features several segments: a discussion on how comedian Armando Ianucci's work reflects current anxieties; an interview with Ukrainian soldiers grappling with the potential shift in US policy unde...
This episode of This American Life delves into the art of making friendships and influencing others, weaving together various relatable anecdotes. It highlights four key lessons: being a friend to make friends, the importance of maintaining connections, the role of appearance, and the power of authenticity. One memorab...
This episode of This American Life dives into the phenomenon of "fiascos," where small blunders spiral into complete mayhem. It features three entertaining stories: a Peter Pan production that derails due to technical glitches and uncontrollable laughter from the audience; a police call about a squirrel that ends up ca...
In the episode "The Narrator" from This American Life, we meet Banias, an eight-year-old Palestinian girl living in Gaza amidst an enduring conflict. Through her phone conversations with a journalist, Banias reveals snippets of her everyday life, often sharing simple joys like playing school and café games with her fri...
In this episode of "This American Life," we hear a gripping story about a call to the "Never Use Alone" hotline, a lifeline for individuals who inject drugs and need someone to watch over them. The narrative centers on a nurse named Jessie and a caller named Kimber, who tragically overdoses during their conversation. A...
This podcast episode explores the legacy and impact of the Trapper Keeper, a popular binder from the 80s and 90s. It delves into the controversy surrounding its invention and the exclusion of its actual creator, John Wyant. The egos and legacies of Brian Crutchfield and his children's perspectives on his role are also ...
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