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Artwork for This American Life

This American Life

This American Life
Donald Trump
Steve Bannon
Love
Republican Party
Department Of Justice
Peter Pan
Dating
Identity Theft
O.J. Simpson
Hoisington
Sports Rivalry
Alexander Vindman
Democratic Party
Kidnapping
Frank Sinatra Jr.
Jordan Riley
Mr. Janola Contest
Tornado
9/11
Military Commissions

Each week we choose a theme. Then anything can happen. This American Life is true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Personal stories with funny moments, big feelings, and surprising plot twists. Newsy stories that try to capture what it’s like to be alive right now. It’s the most popular weekly podcast in the world, and winner of the first ever Pulitzer Prize for a radio show or po... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes477Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureArts

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Artwork for This American Life

Latest Episodes

When history comes knocking, you have to figure out what to do.

Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.

* Prologue: Brittany’s job is to answer anonymous calls and texts from people in the military. This y... more

We spend a month at a Jeep dealership on Long Island as they try to make their monthly sales goal: 129 cars. If they make it, they'll get a huge bonus from the manufacturer, possibly as high as $85,000 — enough to put them in the black for the month.... more

What’s in the box? What’s in the $%&ing box?!?

Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.

* Prologue: A class of second graders is handed a sealed box with a mystery object inside. They are supposed to guess ... more

What’s great about living in a family is that everyone sees everything differently. Also, that’s what’s awful about living in a family. We go behind closed doors with two families.

Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Elijah Sullivan
Filmmaker investigating a mystery
Episode: 875: I Hate Mysteries
Muhannad El-Sheikhi
Comedian
Episode: 875: I Hate Mysteries
Sam Buza
Semi-retired businesswoman involved with the refugee movement in South Africa
AmeriConnors
Episode: 872: Winners
Evan Ratliff
Journalist covering technology and ethics of AI
Self
Episode: 870: My Other Self
Pablo Torre
Host of Pablo Torre Finds Out
ESPN
Episode: 870: My Other Self
George Papas
Immigration judge from Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Episode: 868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
Kira Lillian
Immigration judge from the Bay Area
Episode: 868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
Jennifer Payton
Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in Chicago
Episode: 868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
Masha Gessen
Staff writer at The New Yorker and author
The New Yorker
Episode: 831: Lists!!!

Host

Ira Glass
Ira Glass is an American radio and television personality, known for his unique storytelling style. He is the long-time host of the show, guiding listeners through rich narratives with humor and empathy.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 119.4k ratings
  • Now full of fun stories

    Since I started listening to this show 5 years ago, I find myself always able to contribute to a conversation with this “oh one interesting story I heard”. Literally they talk about everything and have me laughing and crying every week. I will die on a hill saying this is the best podcast ever.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maggie br
    United Statesa month ago
  • Broke my heart

    I’ve just finished listening to the story of Henry Dee. I had to stop eating my dinner because I was too busy sobbing for this poor man. Once a week I get in touch with my humanity by listening to This American Life. Thank You for making my world a better place.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nixin77
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Check the reviews

    When you get criticism from opposing sides, you know you’re doing something right. Great show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kleenplex
    Australia2 months ago
  • Re-using old material

    A once brilliant podcast is now just constantly recycling old episodes .so disappointing to stick on the ‘new’ episode on Monday morning only to find I’ve already listened to it a few years ago. They don’t even label it as a repeat . Fed up with this happening to the point I’m probably going to unsubscribe

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    kellshesaurus
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Cool

    It’s cool

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    )!‘ h xye
    Germany2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the storytelling quality and emotional depth that engage both the heart and mind.
The podcast is celebrated for its ability to cover a wide range of themes, often merging personal stories with broader societal issues.
Many fans have been lifelong listeners, indicating a strong loyalty and connection with the show's host and its content.
While many praise the diversity of topics, some express disappointment over perceived political biases in recent episodes.
The podcast has been recognized for its ability to create a sense of shared humanity and understanding among its listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
Q: How has the environment in immigration courts shifted due to political pressures?
The political pressures led to an increased presence of ICE in courtrooms, and new policies that severely restrict judges' ability to rule independently on cases.
868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
Q: What has changed for immigration judges recently?
Judges have been pressured to grant motions to dismiss cases without due process, undermining their independence and ability to fairly adjudicate.
638: Rom-Com
Q: How important is the 'Meet Cute' in rom-coms?
The 'Meet Cute' is crucial as it sets up the chemistry and initial connection between the characters, creating a foundation for their relationship throughout the film.
858: How to Tell a Dumb American Story
Q: How has losing Mika impacted your marriage?
It's been hard, and I find myself reluctant to go outside because I think it will make me sad.
857: Museum of Now
Q: What was your emotional reaction to seeing the mural being torn down?
It felt like a real shift in America, and it made me reconsider my past indifference to the message.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This American Life

What is This American Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A diverse array of true stories unfolds weekly, showcasing personal anecdotes, societal themes, and the richness of human experiences. By intertwining humor, heartfelt moments, and unexpected plot twists, the episodes illuminate the complexities of contemporary life, touching on both lighthearted and pressing issues. Through its storytelling format, the podcast engages listeners with narratives that often present a unique perspective on various topics, ranging from personal identity to social justice, portraying the intricacies of everyday experiences in a compelling and relatable manner. This blend of storytelling and journalism is likely to resonate with anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Where can I find podcast stats for This American Life?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for This American Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to This American Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does This American Life get?

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What are the audience demographics for This American Life?

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How many subscribers and views does This American Life have?

To see how many followers or subscribers This American Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to This American Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This American Life:

1. Radiolab
2. The Moth
3. Fresh Air
4. Hidden Brain
5. The Daily

How many episodes of This American Life are there?

This American Life launched 19 years ago and published 477 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact This American Life?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for This American Life?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for This American Life from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This American Life?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of This American Life. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on This American Life?

Recent guests on This American Life include:

1. Elijah Sullivan
2. Muhannad El-Sheikhi
3. Sam Buza
4. Evan Ratliff
5. Pablo Torre
6. George Papas
7. Kira Lillian
8. Jennifer Payton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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