This American Life

This American Life

Hosted by
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

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that the collection of past-due student loans will resume on May 5. How will this affect your financial reality?

from KCRW Features

Rebecca Lemov, a professor of the history of science at Harvard University, explores the origins of brainwashing and delves into the concept of how our minds can be influenced through…

from Life Examined

Critics review the latest film releases: “The Accountant 2,” “Until Dawn,” “Havoc,” and “On Swift Horses.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about “Sinners” — his first non-franchise film since 2013 and latest collab with actor Michael B. Jordan.

Ryan Coogler on duality and the song that shaped ‘Sinners’

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about “Sinners” — his first non-franchise film since 2013 and latest collab with actor Michael B. Jordan.

from The Treatment

Actor, writer, and director Andrew McCarthy shares how the book "Off the Road" by Jack Hitt inspired him to embark on a life-changing adventure.

How a 500-mile hike changed Andrew McCarthy forever

Actor, writer, and director Andrew McCarthy shares how the book "Off the Road" by Jack Hitt inspired him to embark on a life-changing adventure.

from The Treatment

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about his new hit film “Sinners.” Plus, Andrew McCarthy has our Treat.

Ryan Coogler, and Andrew McCarthy on The Treat

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler joins for an extended chat about his new hit film “Sinners.” Plus, Andrew McCarthy has our Treat.

from The Treatment

Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite,” “Nacho Libre”) speaks to how his oddball sensibilities helped make “A Minecraft Movie” such a hit.

Filmmaker Jared Hess on knowing what ‘Minecraft’ fans were going to like

Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite,” “Nacho Libre”) speaks to how his oddball sensibilities helped make “A Minecraft Movie” such a hit.

from The Business

60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens has resigned amid mounting pressure on Paramount Global to settle a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump.

Filmmaker Jared Hess on leaning into his oddball humor for ‘A Minecraft Movie’; An alarming personnel shake up at ‘60 Minutes’

60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens has resigned amid mounting pressure on Paramount Global to settle a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump.

from The Business

Nasim Alikhani spent decades working various jobs before realizing her calling — opening a restaurant to showcase the food of Iran.

In "Sofreh," Nasim Alikhani shares the beauty of modern Iranian food

Nasim Alikhani spent decades working various jobs before realizing her calling — opening a restaurant to showcase the food of Iran.

from Good Food

Gabriela Glueck visits the "Torture Orchard," where California's nut trees are pushed to the brink so they can withstand the curveballs thrown by climate change.

Torturing California's almonds and pistachios to survive climate change

Gabriela Glueck visits the "Torture Orchard," where California's nut trees are pushed to the brink so they can withstand the curveballs thrown by climate change.

from Good Food

Nicole Rucker rekindled her love for baking by tinkering with her favorite recipes and eliminating the fuss.

Nicole Rucker busts decades-old baking myths to simplify classic recipes

Nicole Rucker rekindled her love for baking by tinkering with her favorite recipes and eliminating the fuss.

from Good Food