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.

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

Maz Jobrani is an immigrant from Iran. He likes to target President Trump, and was especially critical when Trump’s travel ban went into effect in 2017.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

On this Veterans Day, we replay some of our favorite segments from the year. Rob Zabrecky talks about his early days in LA’s punk scene.

from Greater LA

Culture plays a huge role in how we manage our last living days.

from Second Opinion

The Latest

Every divorce story is a marriage story, but every movie about divorce is not on the level of Noah Baumbach's "Marriage Story."

Marriage Story

Every divorce story is a marriage story, but every movie about divorce is not on the level of Noah Baumbach's "Marriage Story."

from Film Reviews

California isn't known as much for its apples as its citrus, but there are still plenty of great apples to be found at the Santa Monica Farmers Market.

Sweet, crisp apples abound at the Santa Monica Farmers Market

California isn't known as much for its apples as its citrus, but there are still plenty of great apples to be found at the Santa Monica Farmers Market.

from Good Food

The New York Times recently published a bombshell report by Julia Moskin that hit close to home for some Angelenos.

A top somm is accused of sexual assault. Is the wine industry overdue for a reckoning?

The New York Times recently published a bombshell report by Julia Moskin that hit close to home for some Angelenos.

from Good Food

In part two of our interview with Damon Lindelof, he and Kim Masters have a heart to heart about ‘The Hunt.’

Damon Lindelof goes deep on the unreleased movie ‘The Hunt’

In part two of our interview with Damon Lindelof, he and Kim Masters have a heart to heart about ‘The Hunt.’

from The Business

At a recent conference, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings spoke out about some topics , and not everyone in Hollywood will like what he had to say.

Hollywood news banter: Netflix’s Reed Hastings speaks his truth

At a recent conference, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings spoke out about some topics , and not everyone in Hollywood will like what he had to say.

from The Business

In the trailer of the Universal movie ‘The Hunt,’ produced by horror kingpin Jason Blum, a character explains, “Every year a bunch of elites kidnap normal folk like us...and hunt us…

Writer Damon Lindelof on what happened with ‘The Hunt’

In the trailer of the Universal movie ‘The Hunt,’ produced by horror kingpin Jason Blum, a character explains, “Every year a bunch of elites kidnap normal folk like us...and hunt us…

from The Business

In Armenia, saying “let’s eat,” translates to “let’s eat bread.” That’s because bread is the foundation of every meal.

Lavash holds the Armenian table together

In Armenia, saying “let’s eat,” translates to “let’s eat bread.” That’s because bread is the foundation of every meal.

from Good Food

The fall and winter holidays are approaching, so you might find yourself wondering what to bring to parties. Writer Thalassa Skinner suggests reviving the art of the cheese board.

Pro tips on creating the perfect holiday cheese board

The fall and winter holidays are approaching, so you might find yourself wondering what to bring to parties. Writer Thalassa Skinner suggests reviving the art of the cheese board.

from Good Food