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

LA resident Josh Morgerman, star of the TV show “Hurricane Man,” built a second home in Mississippi to see powerful storms up-close.

from KCRW Features

“New Wave” is a documentary about Vietnamese refugees leaning into Eurodisco as they built new lives in SoCal after the fall of Saigon. It also speaks to generational trauma and grief.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Dodgers are back in the World Series after a wild win over the Mets. Now they’re set to face the Yankees in a matchup that’s pure baseball magic.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

Carl St. Clair is retiring after more than 30 years leading the Pacific Symphony. The orchestra became an international success under his tenure.

Composer Carl St. Clair to retire from Pacific Symphony

Carl St. Clair is retiring after more than 30 years leading the Pacific Symphony. The orchestra became an international success under his tenure.

from KCRW Features

In 1987, Cirque du Soleil made its first U.S. debut in Santa Monica. The show returns to the city with Kooza at the Big Top through January.

Cirque du Soleil returns to its US home in Santa Monica

In 1987, Cirque du Soleil made its first U.S. debut in Santa Monica. The show returns to the city with Kooza at the Big Top through January.

from KCRW Features

Lawrence Kramer and Carolyn Korsmeyer take us on a philosophical and sensual journey exploring sound, taste, and touch.

The senses: A philosophical and sensual exploration of sound, taste, and touch

Lawrence Kramer and Carolyn Korsmeyer take us on a philosophical and sensual journey exploring sound, taste, and touch.

from Life Examined

How can a country so rich in resources and farm production have people who still go to bed hungry?

Food Insecurity

How can a country so rich in resources and farm production have people who still go to bed hungry?

from Second Opinion

Ilana Glazer shares some feelings on the impersonal nature of stand-up as they prepare to drop their new special “Human Magic.”

Ilana Glazer speaks on their stand-up influences ahead of new special ‘Human Magic’

Ilana Glazer shares some feelings on the impersonal nature of stand-up as they prepare to drop their new special “Human Magic.”

from The Treatment

Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer and legendary political firebrand James Carville fill us in on their new documentary “Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid.”

James Carville and filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer explain ‘Winning is Everything, Stupid’

Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer and legendary political firebrand James Carville fill us in on their new documentary “Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid.”

from The Treatment

Matt Tyrnauer and James Carville speak on their new Carville documentary, Ilana Glazer fills us in on their stand-up special “Human Magic,” and René Redzepi has The Treat.

James Carville and Matt Tyrnauer, Ilana Glazer, and René Redzepi on The Treat

Matt Tyrnauer and James Carville speak on their new Carville documentary, Ilana Glazer fills us in on their stand-up special “Human Magic,” and René Redzepi has The Treat.

from The Treatment

Acclaimed chef René Redzepi discusses how, to him, hiking is a spiritual experience.

Hiking helps remind Chef René Redzepi that life is beautiful

Acclaimed chef René Redzepi discusses how, to him, hiking is a spiritual experience.

from The Treatment