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Artwork for This American Life

This American Life

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes484Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for This American Life

Latest Episodes

In the new year, stories of people trying a radical approach to solving their problems.

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

* Prologue: Ira meets two sisters who got into a fight, and then learned a le... more

When a joke could get you killed, should you say it anyway? A group of Syrian comedians test the limits of their newfound freedom, a year after the fall of the brutal Assad regime.

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

YouTube

In this special mini-episode -- an extra episode this week! -- we hear from someone in Venezuela with a very specific take on last week's U.S. attack.

People discovering information about their own lives that they did not know, and suddenly everything looks very different.

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

* Prologue: When Pete turned 18, his dad t... 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

Jake W. Cornell
Comedian and contributor to This American Life
Not specified
Episode: 878: New Lore Drop
Darneice Foster
New York City resident struggling with the rat problem in her neighborhood
Episode: 801: Must Be Rats on the Brain
Kathy Grady
New York's 'rat czar' tasked with managing the city's rat problem
New York City Government
Episode: 801: Must Be Rats on the Brain
Reggie and Rachel
Representatives from the rat community giving a rodent perspective
Episode: 801: Must Be Rats on the Brain
David Sedaris
Author and humorist known for his witty takes on personal experiences
Self
Episode: Christmas and Commerce
Truman Capote
Iconic author known for his classic tales, including children's Christmas stories
Episode: 255: Our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Political activist and mother of musician Fela Kuti
Episode: 876: Bigger Than Me
Elijah Sullivan
Filmmaker investigating a mystery
Episode: 875: I Hate Mysteries
Muhannad El-Sheikhi
Comedian
Episode: 875: I Hate Mysteries

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 119.7k ratings
  • CERTIFIED ETHEREUM / USDT & BITCOIN RECOVERY EXPERT / HIRE GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER

    After losing $780,000 worth of bitcoin . I thought I'd never recover my money back. I've been in this predicament, and I can attest to the frustration and helplessness that come with it until I met a testimony from Alexa Jason online talking about GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER who helped him recover his funds back. I decided to give it a try and contacted them on

    Email: geovcoordinateshacker@ gmail.com... more

    Podchaser
    5
    vivianedwin47
    5 days ago
  • Spammed by Ad Walls and Subscriber Episodes

    Fix this please. This has spammed the feed

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AzucenaQ
    United States9 days ago
  • Manufacturing Consent

    It's disappointing to hear these special politically-focused stories, for example the piece on Venezuela, that so tightly align with the US political establishment and make broad unsubstantiated claims about the sentiments of an entire nation. When these claims are supported only by a single interview, contain no historical analysis, no substantive evidence, no polling--what are we to think? A large swathe of Americans believe that DJT's 2020 election loss was illegitimate, and it's very possibl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CeebsBerry
    United States13 days ago
  • Best podcast out there

    This American Life is the best podcast out there. You have your finger on the pulse of the very important stories and intense experiences people are having right now. Your journalism is stellar. Very unbiased, thorough, and you share it in engaging ways. Thank you for all you do to inform the public and care for people.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gargie1234
    United States15 days ago
  • Diamond in d ruff

    This show ticked my interest in audio storytelling and so far it’s my favorite podcast. the stories, the journalism behind the stories, the way the stories are being told and the less ads even with a basic podcast subscription makes it absolutely worth it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    whatever1122
    United States15 days 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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for This American Life, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for This American Life?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for This American Life, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Heavyweight

How many episodes of This American Life are there?

This American Life launched 19 years ago and published 484 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. Jake W. Cornell
2. Darneice Foster
3. Kathy Grady
4. Reggie and Rachel
5. David Sedaris
6. Truman Capote
7. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
8. Elijah Sullivan

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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