This American Life

This American Life

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1 hr

There's what happened, and there's the story that gets told about what happened. Sometimes the two things don't match up very well. Learn more at This American Life.

All Episodes

This week, stories about people trying their best to turn themselves into something else—like a badger.

Even the best laid plans can go catastrophically wrong when humans get involved.

In hour two from Albertville, Alabama, we head into town, where a wave of immigrants has transformed the place.

The man whose views on immigration are the cornerstone of Trump administration policy — Attorney General Jeff Sessions — apparently came to his opinions on the issue from seeing what…

Spider-Man and other people with talents that cause them pain and suffering.

The story of Harold Washington, the greatest politician you've probably never heard of, and the political race war he set off when he became Chicago's first black mayor.

Stories of people who decide to rethink the way they've been doing things ... or try to get others to do that.

This week, blurring the line between animal and human.

More from KCRW

Critics review the latest film releases: “Speak No Evil,” “My Old Ass,” “The Killer's Game,” and “Look Into My Eyes.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Alimento’s owner, Zack Pollack, explains why he closed his 10-year-old Italian bistro, and what it takes for today’s neighborhood restaurants to survive.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The latest film releases include Speak No Evil, My Old Ass, The Killer's Game, and Look Into My Eyes.

from Weekend Film Reviews

The Latest

Learn how to make a traditional sheet pan dinner, a savory tray bake from a Cypriot-Turkish tradition, and an upside down baking technique.

Ease back into cooking with sheet pan dinners

Learn how to make a traditional sheet pan dinner, a savory tray bake from a Cypriot-Turkish tradition, and an upside down baking technique.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In "Question Everything," Brian Reed looks at questions around journalistic standards following criticism he received for his approach to "S-Town."

‘Question Everything’: Why is media having an identity crisis?

In "Question Everything," Brian Reed looks at questions around journalistic standards following criticism he received for his approach to "S-Town."

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Why can’t relationships be romantic and casual? Comedian Dylan McKeever joins Myisha to talk about the controversial situationship.

Situationships aren’t all bad (right?) with Dylan McKeever

Why can’t relationships be romantic and casual? Comedian Dylan McKeever joins Myisha to talk about the controversial situationship.

from How’s Your Sex Life?

This week Robin Stern , psychoanalyst, and author of “ The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life,” talks about gaslight…

Midweek Reset: Gaslight

This week Robin Stern , psychoanalyst, and author of “ The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life,” talks about gaslight…

from Life Examined

From timbale and eggplant caviar wraps to ratatouille and caponata, we have a bunch of great recipes for how to use this versatile veggie.

15 exquisite eggplant recipes

From timbale and eggplant caviar wraps to ratatouille and caponata, we have a bunch of great recipes for how to use this versatile veggie.

from Good Food

With the rising popularity of medical content on streamers like HBO and Netflix, New York’s Northwell Health has launched its own film and TV production studio.

Hospitals making films and shows: Consent is complex

With the rising popularity of medical content on streamers like HBO and Netflix, New York’s Northwell Health has launched its own film and TV production studio.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Actor James Earl Jones died Monday at age 93. He’s best known as the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa. But his best work, and maybe least well-known, came on stage.

Remembering James Earl Jones’ ‘fantastically precise’ theater career

Actor James Earl Jones died Monday at age 93. He’s best known as the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa. But his best work, and maybe least well-known, came on stage.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Before streaming music, full albums were released on Tuesdays and required great preparation. KCRW examines the impact of a Sept. 11, 2001, release date on a few high-profile LPs.

Music released on 9/11 helped Americans cope with terrorism and fear

Before streaming music, full albums were released on Tuesdays and required great preparation. KCRW examines the impact of a Sept. 11, 2001, release date on a few high-profile LPs.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand