15 posts tagged with "This American Life"

The tiny thing that unravels your world. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: Ira talks to Chris Benderev, whose high school years were completely upended by an impromptu thing his teacher said. (8 minutes)Act One: For Producer Lilly Sullivan, there’s one story about her parents that defines

This episode narrates personal stories that delve into the transformative moments that shape our lives. Chris Benderev reflects on a teacher's comment that altered his perspective on friendships and adulthood. The episode further explores family narratives and the discrepancies in memories shared by family members. Mike Comite shares a pivotal experience during the Bonnaroo festival, marked by a performance mishap, revealing the emotional complexities of artistic endeavors. The episode concludes with Salma, a Syrian woman, discussing the profound effects of political upheaval on her emotions and memories regarding her homeland.

Banias is an 8-year-old kid living in Gaza. And she has a story to tell — many stories, in fact. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: While on the phone with reporter Maram Hamaid in Gaza, producer Chana Joffe-Walt gets interrupted by Maram’s daughter––Banias, eight, who grabs

In this episode, an eight-year-old girl named Banias from Gaza shares her life experiences amid ongoing conflict. The narrative depicts her attempts to maintain childhood innocence while contending with the harsh realities of war around her. Banias' playful interactions with friends and imaginative coping mechanisms, such as playing school, are juxtaposed against the backdrop of violence and instability. Her reflections on evacuations, fear, and a desire to escape capture the emotional complexities faced by children in conflict zones. The episode powerfully illustrates the resilience of youth in the face of trauma and displacement.

One call to a very unusual hotline and everything that followed. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: Ira talks about a priest who set up what may have been the first hotline in the United States. It was just him, answering a phone, trying to help strangers

In '809: The Call' from This American Life, hosted by Ira Glass, the episode centers on the Never Use Alone hotline, a critical support service for drug users at risk of overdose. The narrative follows Kimber, who calls the hotline while intending to use heroin. The nurse, Jessie, stays on the line to monitor her safety. As the urgency escalates, an EMT named Steven involved in the ensuing rescue reflects on the challenges of drug use and addiction, including his own past struggles. The story unfolds to reveal the connections formed through these crises, highlighting themes of compassion, the harsh realities of addiction, and the importance of support systems to prevent overdose deaths.

Things our dads taught us, whether they intended to or not. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: Ira talks about the time his dad taught him to shave, and how unusual that was. (5 minutes)Act One: When Jackie read the obits for the man who had invented

In episode 815 of 'This American Life,' titled 'How I Learned to Shave,' host Ira Glass reflects on the emotional significance of learning to shave from his father, capturing the complexities of father-son relationships. The episode explores various narratives, including Jackie's exploration of her father's legacy through the invention of the Trapper Keeper and its implications. It delves into themes of recognition and identity as Ken and Carol recount their father's contributions. Additionally, the episode presents a juxtaposition of nature's realities through the story of Wolf 8 and Wolf 21 while also touching on the humorous evolution of dating customs through generational storytelling. Ultimately, it emphasizes the profound impact of personal connections amidst the fleeting nature of life.

How do you count almost 12 million votes if you’re not the government? This week, we bring you the extraordinary story of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who created the only verifiable public record of votes in their presidential election — and other stories of people trying to correct the

In this episode of 'This American Life,' host Ira Glass explores the Venezuelan presidential election, marked by controversy and concerns over electoral integrity. Amid rising government repression, citizens took a stand for transparency by launching the '600K' initiative, which saw volunteers collect paper copies of vote tallies from across the nation. The episode features the training and experiences of an election witness named Maria, who faces multiple obstacles on election day to ensure that the voting process remains fair. The narrative ultimately juxtaposes these efforts in Venezuela with evolving attitudes toward election integrity in America, highlighting the essential themes of democracy and the pursuit of truth.

Keiko was a hugely beloved adventure park attraction. He was also captured in the wild and taken away from his mother when he was just a calf. When Hollywood learned about him, a colossal effort began to un-tame him and send him back to the ocean. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign

This episode of 'This American Life' explores the life of Keiko, a killer whale who faced the trauma of being captured and raised in captivity across various marine parks. Renata Fernandez, one of his trainers, shares their emotional bond despite addressing the distressing realities of Keiko's situation—living in a small, shallow pool, which sparked a global movement for his welfare following the film 'Free Willy'. The narrative reflects on the environmental movement, the challenges of rehabilitating Keiko for a return to the wild, and the deep emotional ties that connect humans and whales, ultimately raising questions about animal rights and conservation.

With Donald Trump’s victory this week, many people looked at the election results and thought, yeah, this is the country I thought it was. For some people, that was a hopeful thing. For others, kind of the opposite. This week, we talked with people who helped make it happen and

In this episode of 'This American Life', the implications of Donald Trump's election victory are explored through various perspectives. The reaction among Republicans in Michigan on election night was one of joy, fueled by successful grassroots efforts. Emotional testimonies, including a police officer reflecting on the Capitol riot, highlight the nation's division. The discussion shifts to the potential for mass deportations, the consequences for communities, and the unique political dynamics among Latino voters supporting Trump. The episode also features personal stories surrounding abortion rights post-Roe v. Wade, illustrating the emotional and political landscape following the election.

A wee flame, flickering in the dark. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: Who’s trying to bridge the gap between Blue America and Red America? Ira gets a glimpse of one guy who might be able to do just that. (3 minutes)Act One: A politically divided couple

In episode 845 of 'This American Life,' titled 'A Small Thing That Gives Me a Tiny Shred of Hope,' host Ira Glass delves into the complexities of political division and interpersonal relationships. The episode follows the stories of various individuals, including a couple, Dick and Emily, who struggle to find a common news source amid diverging beliefs shaped by the Trump era. As they navigate the political landscape, they turn to the Tangle newsletter for balanced perspectives, leading to a crucial shift in their discussions. The podcast also highlights the experiences of June, who conceals her voting intentions from her Trump-supporting husband, and Frank, who grapples with dating in a politically polarized environment, emphasizing the struggle for connection amid deep-seated political divides.

People who tell a lie and then believe the lie more than anyone else. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: Sean Cole explains why he decided that he would speak with a British accent—morning, noon and night—from the age of fourteen until he was sixteen, and how

In episode 660 of "This American Life," titled "Hoaxing Yourself," the exploration centers around self-deception and identity. Sean Cole shares his two-year obsession with adopting a British identity, leading him to believe he was part of British culture. Other stories include college experiences of crafting false personas and a con artist's schemes that ultimately led him into a moral crisis. Through humor and poignant narratives, the episode examines the lengths individuals go to in order to construct and maintain illusions about their identities, culminating in reflections on personal and cultural truths.

Thirteen parole board members decide whether or not one man should be released from prison. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: Henry Dee has been locked up for most of his life, nearly 50 years. Now, he’s up for parole. Reporter Ben Austen tells the story. (19

In the episode 'This Is the Case of Henry Dee' from This American Life, Ira Glass examines the complex narratives around Henry Dee, a 72-year-old inmate facing parole after nearly 50 years in prison for a brutal crime. Reporter Ben Austen explores the intricacies of parole hearings, the debates on rehabilitation and justice, and the various factors influencing decisions about inmate release. The panel's deliberations reveal tensions between public safety, victim suffering, and Dee's claims of innocence, alongside his model prisoner behavior. The episode culminates in a broader discussion on the need for justice reform and second chances within the parole system.

Ira Glass has news to share about some things happening here at This American Life. To sign up as a Life Partner, visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners.

In this episode of 'This American Life', Ira Glass addresses the financial difficulties the show faces due to a significant decline in podcast ad revenues, projecting a one-third decrease in income. To mitigate this issue, the show will introduce a premium subscription service, offering exclusive content and access to a curated archive, while still maintaining the availability of free episodes for regular listeners. This move reflects a broader trend in the podcast industry, where many shows are struggling with advertising. Glass emphasizes the importance of listener support to sustain the show.

So much of the fight for the presidency is coming down to battles for small slices of voters who can help throw swing states to one candidate or another. Abbas Alawieh, a leader in the Uncommitted movement, grapples with how to get his voters the thing they want. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners

In episode 843 of This American Life, 'A Little Bit of Power,' the narrative centers on how voters with limited political influence can still impact major decisions, particularly during the presidential election. Highlighting the Uncommitted movement, which emerged among Arab-American voters dissatisfied with Biden's Israel policy, the episode follows their efforts to negotiate concessions with the Democratic National Committee. Abbas Alawieh, a prominent figure within the movement, attempts to secure representation and policy changes that reflect voters' concerns, despite facing obstacles and skepticism from both the party and the community. The episode paints a picture of the tenuous balance between political activism and voter representation in a contentious election cycle.

Chen Almog-Goldstein was kidnapped by Hamas along with her three youngest children on October 7, 2023. This week, she tells the story of their life as hostages in Gaza. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: The 251 hostages taken by Hamas a year ago have become

One kid comes to America as an exchange student and commits herself to the senior year experience. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription. Prologue: We talk to high school seniors in Salt Lake City who are trying to have the perfect year. (5 minutes)Act One: Every year,

In episode 841 titled 'My Senior Year' from 'This American Life,' the focus is on high school seniors in Salt Lake City, including an international exchange student named Majd from Gaza. They navigate nostalgia, fear of missing out, and the cultural significance of senior year while engaging in typical American high school activities. Majd's journey reflects her struggles to adapt amid the trauma of conflict in Gaza, balancing her new life with worries about her family's safety. The episode portrays the emotional challenges faced by exchange students, juxtaposing their experiences with moments of joy and connection despite overwhelming circumstances.