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

Since stress for farmers is deeply intertwined with the land, social worker Kaila Anderson developed a tool to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among farmers.

from Good Food

Critics review the latest film releases: “Smurfs,” “Eddington,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In the conclusion of Kim Masters’ two-part conversation with Barry Diller, the veteran businessman reflects on his time helping build Rupert Murdoch’s Fox empire.

from The Business

The Latest

We wrap up our two part conversation with Hollywood legend Barry Diller on the heels of his memoir “Who Knew?”

Barry Diller has some thoughts on the Paramount-Trump settlement

We wrap up our two part conversation with Hollywood legend Barry Diller on the heels of his memoir “Who Knew?”

from The Business

Coming from a family of dairy operators, Vivian Straus honors Northern California's agricultural roots with the Cheese Trail.

Take a bite out of California's Cheese Trail

Coming from a family of dairy operators, Vivian Straus honors Northern California's agricultural roots with the Cheese Trail.

from Good Food

LA Times restaurant critic Bill Addison drove up and down the state to determine California's 101 best places to eat.

101 places to eat on your next California road trip

LA Times restaurant critic Bill Addison drove up and down the state to determine California's 101 best places to eat.

from Good Food

Chef and fisherman Conner Mitchell says "yes" to locally caught bluefin tuna.

Zen and the art of fishing for bluefin tuna at Dudley Market

Chef and fisherman Conner Mitchell says "yes" to locally caught bluefin tuna.

from Good Food

In Half Moon Bay, chef Scott Clark left the pressure cooker of Michelin starred restaurants to cook in a train caboose on the side of Highway 1.

Making the most of coastal California cuisine

In Half Moon Bay, chef Scott Clark left the pressure cooker of Michelin starred restaurants to cook in a train caboose on the side of Highway 1.

from Good Food

Bernadette Berterretche Helton preserves Basque food and traditions at Centro Basco in Chino.

Preserving Basque cuisine and culture at Centro Basco

Bernadette Berterretche Helton preserves Basque food and traditions at Centro Basco in Chino.

from Good Food

LA Times restaurant critic Bill Addison drove up and down the state to determine California's 101 best places to eat.

A California road trip with cheese, tuna, and Basque food

LA Times restaurant critic Bill Addison drove up and down the state to determine California's 101 best places to eat.

from Good Food

We’re halfway through the year, so it’s time for a pop culture check-in!

What’s Worth Watching (and Skipping) in 2025 So Far?

We’re halfway through the year, so it’s time for a pop culture check-in!

from The Sam Sanders Show