This American Life Archive

Three teenage girls explain why they are constantly telling their friends they are beautiful on Instagram. Plus more stories about status updates that interrupt our daily life.

A prisoner who hasn't talked to anyone in years comes up with a bold plan to re-introduce himself to the world.

Emily Dickinson said “The heart wants what it wants.” This week, stories from people who take that notion to extremes and are unapologetic about it.

Conspiracy theories about the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin continue to shape Israel's politics and future.

Meet the people who pitch ideas for new foods and then decide which ones they're actually going to make.

We've always loved to gawk at others, but what's it like when the tables are turned and all eyes are on you?

Getting inside a situation and finding out just how interesting it is.

A father constructs an elaborate fantasy to occupy his 12 children.

We go to the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans to talk to residents about what matters most to them ten years after the hurricane.

It can be hard to know the right moment for something to happen.