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

Michael Pollan, investigative journalist, writer, and author of numerous books including “This is Your Mind on Plants” talks about his trip into the world of food and the new science…

from Life Examined

Erick Elliott’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

When Karla Vasquez couldn't find an English-language Salvadoran cookbook that she loved, she created her own.

from Good Food

The Latest

America's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world.

Brain Drain

America's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world.

from Second Opinion

Having taken many roles which allow him to explore faith and commitment, actor Jovan Adepo’s latest finds him as a physicist dealing with a “3 Body Problem”.

Actor Jovan Adepo and the ‘3 Body Problem’

Having taken many roles which allow him to explore faith and commitment, actor Jovan Adepo’s latest finds him as a physicist dealing with a “3 Body Problem”.

from The Treatment

Kiefer Sutherland on Jack Bauer and William Friedkin, Jovan Adepo on “3 Body Problem,” NPR’s Scott Simon on The Treat.

Kiefer Sutherland, Jovan Adepo, and Scott Simon on The Treat

Kiefer Sutherland on Jack Bauer and William Friedkin, Jovan Adepo on “3 Body Problem,” NPR’s Scott Simon on The Treat.

from The Treatment

Actor Kiefer Sutherland favors making TV over making films and he’s telling us why.

Kiefer Sutherland loves working with iconic filmmakers (but he prefers TV)

Actor Kiefer Sutherland favors making TV over making films and he’s telling us why.

from The Treatment

NPR’s Scott Simon reflects on the very modern loneliness expressed via Stephen Sondheim's song "Another Hundred People" from the 1970 musical “Company”.

Scott Simon on Stephen Sondheim’s "Another Hundred People"

NPR’s Scott Simon reflects on the very modern loneliness expressed via Stephen Sondheim's song "Another Hundred People" from the 1970 musical “Company”.

from The Treatment

After writing a book on Northern Thai food, Austin Bush explores the spicy, colorful cuisine of Southern Thailand.

Seafood, spice, and coconuts — the food of Southern Thailand

After writing a book on Northern Thai food, Austin Bush explores the spicy, colorful cuisine of Southern Thailand.

from Good Food

With only a week left until PieFest, baker Nicole Rucker shows us how to make a scrumptrilescent apple pie.

Apple pie, green almonds

With only a week left until PieFest, baker Nicole Rucker shows us how to make a scrumptrilescent apple pie.

from Good Food

Michael McCarty reflects on 45 years of success at his eponymous Santa Monica restaurant.

Before there was 'farm to table,' there was Michael's

Michael McCarty reflects on 45 years of success at his eponymous Santa Monica restaurant.

from Good Food