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Artwork for This American Life

This American Life

This American Life
Gaza
Donald Trump
Hamas
Chicago
Israel
Family Dynamics
Christmas
Israeli Hostages
War
Vegetarianism
Chen Almog-Goldstein
Parenting
Henry Dee
Immigration Policy
Trump Administration
Podcasting
ICE
Shark Attack
Criminal Justice System
Friendship

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes513Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for This American Life

Latest Episodes

Moments when it seems obvious what to do for someone else, so of course you jump in and try to help — and what happens after that.

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

(00:00:00) Prologue: Devon Taylor t... more

YouTube

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has been in the news thanks to an extra-long deployment that's taken a toll on its crew. What's life on an aircraft carrier at war really like? Back in 2002, we spent a few days on the USS John C. Stennis, whi... more

YouTube

Labels are powerful. They can distill you down to a single word. They can get stuck on you without your permission. And sometimes, when they get taken away, they can upend your entire life. On this episode: labels and the havoc they wreak.

Visit th... more

YouTube

We head to some of the happiest places on earth: amusement parks! Ira Glass takes us behind the scenes at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, where the young staff – coached by a funny, fun-loving boss just a little older than they are – truly seem to love... more

YouTube

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

Barbara Mendoza
Senior Chief, talking about Navy culture and ship life
U.S. Navy (Stennis crew)
Episode: 206: Somewhere in the Arabian Sea
Janet McNamara
Comedian who discovers she is autistic, subject of Act Three
Independent/Comedian
Episode: 895: Label Maker!
Rick Cole
Pasadena City Council member featured in Act One
Pasadena City Council
Episode: 894: I Couldn't Help but Notice
Katie Gowell
Pregnant resident central to the Maine birth story
Maine community member
Episode: 894: I Couldn't Help but Notice
Rose Fuchs
Dr., obstetrician involved in the home birth emergency
Holton Regional Hospital / on-site obstetrics
Episode: 894: I Couldn't Help but Notice
Monica Shearheart
OB-GYN on call, delivers baby in Holton ER
Holton ER / on-call physician
Episode: 894: I Couldn't Help but Notice
Pasha Tolankin
Teacher and videographer documenting propaganda in Russia
Russian school project (documentary subject)
Episode: 894: I Couldn't Help but Notice
Sarah Vowell
Author and contributor to TAL
Sarah Vowell
Episode: 893: Testosterone
Griffin Hansbury
Psychoanalyst, author of Some Strange Music Draws Me In; discussed testosterone effects
Griffin Hansbury, Grif­fin Hansbury in interview
Episode: 893: Testosterone

Host

Ira Glass
Host of This American Life

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 120.9k ratings
  • I Used to Love It…

    I used to love this show and listening to the stories and sometimes got a chuckle and it was about every day American life. But lately every episode is a political message and I listen to podcast get away from this very thing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    VettePal
    United Statesa month ago
  • Too many international stories

    For a podcast called “The American Life”, there’s waaaay too many international stories. Surely there’s a better podcast for these. Some entire episodes are just international stories. You can’t find anything interesting in the US right now? Seriously?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    pnw_21
    United Statesa month ago
  • C-Section

    This was probably the most harrowing show I’ve ever listened to on This American Life. Every episode is interesting and entertaining…but this specific episode was absolutely phenomenal. Thank you to the producers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MidwestDreams
    United Statesa month ago
  • Very good!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    pazuzo
    a month ago
  • Greatest ever

    Just love this. It changed what it meant to do a 'show' when if first came on the air.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Boatwagon
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show remains acclaimed for thoughtful storytelling and high-quality journalism.
Listeners appreciate depth and variety of topics, though some critique perceived political bias in certain episodes.
Guests and hosts are frequently praised for empathy and rigor in reporting.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

628: In the Shadow of the City
Q: Why does Mr. Chen do this work on the bridge?
Mr. Chen explains his empathy for the people on the bridge, their despair, and his belief that some situations can be helped through presence and conversation, not just force.
628: In the Shadow of the City
Q: What happened on the bridge when you intervened with the jumper?
The responder explains that he grabbed the man, restrained him with care, and the jumper was saved, though the moment left a lasting sense of unease about the fragility of life in such crisis.
628: In the Shadow of the City
Q: So give me a typical exchange between the two of you on the bridge.
The interviewer and translator describe Mr. Chen's guarded, distant responses, then slowly observe how his answers deepen when they drink with him at lunch and begin to open up about his motivation and the people he saves.
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.

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?

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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. The Daily
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of This American Life are there?

This American Life launched 20 years ago and published 513 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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What guests have appeared on This American Life?

Recent guests on This American Life include:

1. Barbara Mendoza
2. Janet McNamara
3. Rick Cole
4. Katie Gowell
5. Rose Fuchs
6. Monica Shearheart
7. Pasha Tolankin
8. Sarah Vowell

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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