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

Food scholar Darra Goldstein traces the lineage of early fermented beverages, which were offered to deities and used in rituals.

from Good Food

Film critic Alonso Duralde recommends holiday movies: “See You Next Christmas,” “Better Watch Out, “1985,” and “Christmas, Again.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Through their writings, Eve Babitz and Joan Didion cemented LA in our collective imagination as a sultry hotbed.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

Gifting a holiday cookie box to loved ones? Consider adding spice, vibrant colors, and a bit of booze to your selection of treats.

Putting together the ultimate holiday cookie box? Here’s your guide

Gifting a holiday cookie box to loved ones? Consider adding spice, vibrant colors, and a bit of booze to your selection of treats.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Date: Friday, January 10, 2025 Timing: 7 PM - midnight Location: Clifton's Republic, 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Portal to 2025, a KCRW Members-Only Experience

Date: Friday, January 10, 2025 Timing: 7 PM - midnight Location: Clifton's Republic, 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

from Special Programming

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s latest film is “The Room Next Door” — a former war correspondent has terminal cancer, makes a plan to kill herself, and asks her old friend to help.

Pedro Almodovar on why he focuses his films on women

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s latest film is “The Room Next Door” — a former war correspondent has terminal cancer, makes a plan to kill herself, and asks her old friend to help.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The band Pixies and The Breeders helped shape the alternative rock sound of the early ‘90s.

Kim Deal on solo album, losing her mom, and collaborator Steve Albini

The band Pixies and The Breeders helped shape the alternative rock sound of the early ‘90s.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Films are baked into the fabric of Press Play, so we’re going to pass the microphone around the staff.

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ ‘Die Hard’: Press Play staff holiday film picks

Films are baked into the fabric of Press Play, so we’re going to pass the microphone around the staff.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Author Brad Stulberg shares hopeful observations from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, while also reflecting on the growing masculinity crisis.

Tragic optimism and the male identity crisis with Brad Stulberg

Author Brad Stulberg shares hopeful observations from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, while also reflecting on the growing masculinity crisis.

from Life Examined

The risks are rising, and state and government officials are not taking this seriously.

The risk of a bird flu epidemic

The risks are rising, and state and government officials are not taking this seriously.

from Second Opinion

John David Washington talks starring in his brother Malcolm’s adaptation of “The Piano Lesson” and how playing college football continues to shape his acting.

John David Washington talks parallels between college football and acting

John David Washington talks starring in his brother Malcolm’s adaptation of “The Piano Lesson” and how playing college football continues to shape his acting.

from The Treatment