This American Life

By This American LifeSociety & Culture News Arts

Ranking
1st
on Arts
Favorites
95,293
Followers
Typical duration
61 min
per episode
If it hooks
55%
finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

This American Life episodes

May 01, 2022 769: The Reluctant Explorer
A man finds himself thrust into a new world he didn’t necessarily ask to visit. He takes a look around.
59 min
April 24, 2022 768: The Other Front Lines
Four personal stories from the war in Ukraine.
1 hr 4 min
April 10, 2022 767: Do Not Go Gentle
In this moment when autocrats and almost-autocrats are getting bolder and more powerful, we bring you two stories of resistance, from Hungary and Russia.
1 hr
April 03, 2022 766: Well Someone Had to Do SOMETHING!
People trying to jump in and solve other people's problems, putting themselves directly in the gap between the problem and the solution.
1 hr 1 min
March 27, 2022 523: Death and Taxes
It is a peculiar feeling to know with certainty that something big is about to happen to you. This week, we watch people go right up to the edge of inevitable change.
1 hr 1 min
March 13, 2022 764: School's Out Forever
The pandemic broke school. Can we ever go back?
1 hr 9 min
February 27, 2022 763: The Other Mr. President
Stories about Vladimir Putin. Did he come to power in 1999 by killing hundreds of innocent Russians? How’s he really seen in his home country? This show is a mix of old and new stories we’ve done about him.
1 hr 12 min
February 13, 2022 762: Apocalypse Creep
A woman wakes up and discovers her backyard has disappeared, and other stories from places slowly coming apart.
1 hr 2 min
February 06, 2022 761: The Trojan Horse Affair
A while back, one of our producers Brian Reed was in England giving a speech about the podcast he'd hosted, S-Town. A journalism student approached him, asking for advice about a story he wanted to look into – something that’d been big news in Britain, something he’d thought about for years. Brian and the student, Hamza Syed, decided to team up to try and solve the mystery at the heart of that story. The original idea was to put this on our show, but it got too big. Too many twists and turns! This week, it rolls out as a spectacularly great podcast called The Trojan Horse Affair. We’re excited to bring you their first episode today.
1 hr 4 min
January 30, 2022 760: A City Walks Into an Investigation
Last week's story continues, about a Michigan couple who walked into a police officer's house and made a disturbing discovery. This week: the police officer suffers the consequences and so does the couple.
57 min

About This American Life

From the publisher's feed

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…

Best of This American Life

Ranked by our users in the last 21 days

Number 1: 899: Reaching Out
Oct 51 hr 3 min
Number 2: 427: Original Recipe
Oct 121 hr 4 min
Number 3: 898: An Argument
Sep 281 hr 3 min
Number 4: 897: Intergenerational Space Travel
Sep 211 hr 7 min
Number 5: 646: The Secret of My Death
Sep 141 hr 8 min

FAQ about This American Life

What's this show about?
This American Life presents true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Each week the show chooses a theme and then features personal stories with funny moments, big feelings, and surprising plot twists.
What's it like to listen to?
Expect a highly produced, narrative-driven experience. The show delivers a blend of journalism, storytelling, and humor, often with unexpected turns. Ira Glass's distinctive voice and editing style are integral to the listening experience.
What are recent episodes about?
Recent episodes have explored themes of city life, including stories set on the edge of civilization and in the workplace, and featured stories about immigration.
Who's behind the mic?
Ira Glass is the host and a producer of This American Life. The show is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago. Glass is known for his unique storytelling approach and his work in public radio.
How long is each episode?
Episodes are typically around 30 to 60 minutes.
When do new episodes drop?
New episodes release regularly.
What are the main topics?
Society & Culture, news, arts, storytelling, personal narratives, journalism
Who should listen to this?
Listeners interested in in-depth storytelling, news, and cultural explorations will enjoy this show. It appeals to those who appreciate narrative-driven content and a mix of humor and serious topics.