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.
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Regular people trapped inside Greek myths. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: When a mysterious, ripped-open package arrives on Pablo's doorstep, he takes it as a sign. (4 minutes) Act One: Pablo flies closer to the sun. (14 minutes) Act Two: In Greek mythology, there's Hades, where everyone goes when they die. You have to cross the river Styx to get there, and there’s a gate with this three-headed dog. He’s guarding the entrance and he’s s...
We want to believe our lives can be changed by the ideas contained in a book. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: When Alexa was seven, she started going through her grandfather's books. Her grandfather was a playwright and teacher, and through the books—and especially through his notes in the margins—she entered the world of 1930's American theater. And she found a book that changed her life: writer Moss Hart's autobiography Act One. (5 min...
Adults telling kids who they are, and kids wondering — are they right? Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Host Ira talks with comedian Gary Gulman about his transformation from high school nobody to football star. (8 minutes) Act One: Gary puts on a tough guy costume, but will it turn him into a tough guy? Ira continues Gary Gulman’s story. (17 minutes) Act Two: Eleanor Gordon-Smith tells the story of a woman who wants to know why she was t...
One family faces the Trump administration’s ban on trans people serving in the military, and responds with a surprising secret weapon. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Geirid and Chrissy are extreme planners. But about a year ago, they were confronted with a situation that even they had no idea how to plan for. (4 minutes) Act One: Geirid and Chrissy make an “in case of emergency, break glass” spreadsheet and get some big news. (14 minute...
This American Life delves into the profound implications of power and responsibility. It features a woman who unknowingly held the key to another's freedom for decades, and a family grappling with the power to retaliate against a tormenting neighbor. The episode concludes with a metaphorical story illustrating the perspective of the powerless, contemplating the actions of those above them.
This American Life shares rare voice memos from ordinary Iranians describing their lives under an internet blackout and war. These powerful accounts detail the emotional toll, economic collapse, and deep political divisions, illustrating how citizens cope with censorship and violence while revealing the regime's increasing control over information access. The episode also explores personal stories of resistance, fear, and disillusionment.
The casino game everyone thinks they can beat. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Host Ira Glass and producer Robyn Semien get a blackjack lesson from Andy Bloch, who played for the MIT blackjack team. He teaches them the basics of card-counting, the technique that gives players an advantage against the house — enough of an advantage that most casinos will ask you to leave if they catch you doing it. (9 minutes) Act One: Jack Hitt tells the...
Stories of cheating, cheaters, and the cheated. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Ira talks with Jessica Pressler about a phenomenon she noticed in the wedding notices in The New York Times. Couples were cheerfully telling—as part of their "meet cute" stories—how their relationships began with one of them cheating on a spouse or long-time partner. (4 minutes) Act One: From England, Ruby Wright has a story of an affair where—even years afte...
At a time when the U.S. government is trying to make American history tidier, we try to learn from the mess. Including the untold, messy story of Paul and Essie Robeson. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Guest Host Emanuele Berry talks to Nichole Hill about the Black movie characters Nichole was curious about as a child. (7 minutes) Act One: A giant of the Harlem Renaissance, Paul Robeson was the most famous American of his day. Until he w...
This episode delves into M. Gessen's new podcast, "The Idiot," recounting the bizarre and tragic story of her cousin Alan. It covers his two attempts to abduct his son from his mother, Priscilla, the surprising family reactions, and M. Gessen's secret role in helping Priscilla. The narrative culminates in the shocking revelation and trial for Alan's murder-for-hire plot against Priscilla, with excerpts from damning undercover recordings.
In the early days of the radio show, Ira did a series of interviews with his parents that completely changed his relationship with them. This week, he returns to those interviews. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: Ira talks about why four conversations reveal how his relationship with his parents changed. (4 minutes) Act One: Ira’s mom, Shirley, is invited to lead a discussion about how to get along with your adult children. Her adult chil...
Two whistleblowers expose severe issues within the US immigration system. Former ICE attorney Ryan Schwank details alarmingly cut training for new agents, unethical warrantless entry policies, and compromised internal oversight. In a separate account, a judge confronts ICE attorney Julie Lee over the agency's non-compliance with court orders, revealing systemic chaos and the unlawful prolonged detention of an immigrant named Oscar, whose harrowing 18-day experience is recounted.
This episode explores unusual personal choices, from a child's wish to be stung by a bee to a comedian's near-fatal appendicitis linked to gluttony. It also delves into a man's quest to reconcile with all his exes, including a former partner who sent a cryptic breakup card. Finally, the podcast covers a federal Antifa trial where a judge's eccentric decision to declare a mistrial, seemingly due to a defense attorney's shirt and the jury's strong anti-ICE sentiments, highlights America's deep political divisions.
This episode exposes the increasing chaos and brutality of federal immigration enforcement across American cities through raw 911 calls, personal accounts of raids, and the efforts of activists archiving daily encounters. "What Is Your Emergency?" delves into the widespread impact of federal immigration agents sweeping through American cities, as revealed through frantic 911 calls from citizens and immigrants alike. The episode highlights the confusion and helplessness experienced by local police and dispatchers, who struggle to intervene with federal operations. It also features a non-profit creating safe zones for day laborers and an activist meticulously documenting daily raids, drawing parallels to historical deportation campaigns and questioning the future impact of these unchecked tactics.
Ira Glass announces that This American Life Partners now funds nearly 25% of their budget, but they need to reach 50% to secure the show's future. He details their labor-intensive, old-school production process—involving extensive story development, revisions, fact-checking, and mixing—which is essential for their distinctive quality and significantly more expensive than typical podcasts. Listener support is crucial to maintain this level of care, offering benefits like ad-free access and bonus content.
Ira Glass talks with longtime producer Nancy Updike about the most personal stories they have put on the radio. This is a sample of the bonus episodes we regularly release to our This American Life Partners. To gain access to all the bonus episodes AND help us keep making This American Life, join at thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners ....
Ira Glass announces critical changes for This American Life due to significant declines in podcast ad revenue, which threatens the show's financial stability. To counter this, they are introducing 'This American Life Partners,' a premium subscription service. Subscribers gain access to bonus episodes, exclusive content, recordings of live events, an ad-free listening experience, and a curated archive of over 250 favorite episodes, ensuring the show can continue its production quality.
Oct 16, 2024•5 min
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