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This American Life

By: This American Life
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  • Summary

  • This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.
    Copyright 1995-2022 This American Life
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Episodes
  • 351: Return to Childhood

    351: Return to Childhood
    Nov 20 2022
    People who try to revisit their childhoods—what they find and what they do not find.
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    1 hr
  • 732: Secrets

    732: Secrets
    Nov 13 2022
    Why we tell them, and what happens after we do.
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    1 hr
  • 784: Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map

    784: Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map
    Nov 6 2022
    Not long ago, Republicans in Ohio passed a constitutional amendment to end gerrymandering in the state. And then a funny thing happened. The same Ohio Republicans drew electoral maps that violated their own constitutional amendment. They’ll be using them in this week’s midterm elections. We try to understand how that could happen.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
Art Political Science Social Sciences
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Featured Article: Politics Audiobooks and Podcasts You Should Be Listening to in 2021


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Featured Article Politics Audiobooks and Podcasts You Should Be Listening to in 2021

What listeners say about This American Life

Average Customer Ratings
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Profile Image for Christian Mendoza

Best Podcast

TAL is the greatest podcast ever assembled. Ira Glass is an icon. I have a tattoo of their logo--that's how good it is

4 people found this helpful

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So much appreciation for this illuminating episode

In the book "New Kid" Jordan Banks learns that his written experience of his life should be kept in the safety of his journal because learning about his life experiences will be difficult for his teacher. He knows that what has happened to him will not matter as much as how it makes her feel to learn about it. This is a skillful episode that offers the opportunity for people to experience empathy and learn about the "other".

2 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Dr. B

best writing being broadcast

No moment listening is wasted. Interesting topics are thoughtfully presented. I look forward to its release every week AND I love digging around in the back issues.

1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for Jackson

Life changing, life defining

I’m nowhere near the age to have kids but if I were a parent I’d share and bond over this podcast and the truly life changing impact it’s had on my life and I. My favorite hour each week is spent on the edge of a metaphorical seat with Ira’s sultry whispering caressing my earbuds. 😅😘

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Profile Image for Ruth S. King

great fun!

Compelled to watch the video version online after listening - even more fun (and free). Thank you TAL team

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Profile Image for Marci Raney

loved this

just the absolute best podcast. I'm continually learning and just feel better having such rich content to absorb. Thank you Ira Glass!

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My favorite PODCAST by far!

Wish I could download more than just the ten episodes at a time! I love listening in my car.

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Profile Image for Glen Dingley

Great Podcast

I love the stories that they pick and choose and their discussion is very well done I have learned a lot in a lot in these podcasts good job!

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Profile Image for BarBar!

Same story different Cop.

It proves nothing changes. They still get away free. Dead kids of color, brutal behavior, explained away.

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Profile Image for Harlow

Absolutely fascinating...

TAL was the first "podcast" before the term existed.i am so glad to have rediscovered it.

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  • rebecca
  • 11-03-22

ten years on and this is still my comfort show

I've been listening to TAL for around ten years now. I've listened to hundreds of different episodes and some I've gone back to and listened to 2, 3, maybe 6 times. Every episode is different so some stories will grab you, and others won't, but there's episodes that will stick with you for life (for me, it's the Mormon guy in Utah who had to give up his kids). This is my go-to podcast, my comfort show - and I'm not even American!