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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
Frank Sinatra Jr.
Kidnapping
Mr. Janola Contest
Jordan Riley
Tornado
Guantánamo Bay
Terrorism

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes474Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureArts

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Artwork for This American Life

Latest Episodes

Three stories about the strange power inanimate objects can hold over us.

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

* Prologue: Nunzio gets caught in a kind of servile relationship—with a scooter. (8 minutes... more

Thirteen parole board members decide whether or not one man should be released from prison.

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

* Prologue: Henry Dee has been locked up for most of his life, nearly 50 ... more

Ira Glass shares some news about This American Life

To sign up as a Life Partner, visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners

What happens when people create alternate versions of themselves and release them into the wild?

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

* Prologue: Host Ira Glass talks about a recent experience being int... 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

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!!!
John Fecile
Senior producer at Snap Judgment
Snap Judgment
Episode: 831: Lists!!!
Nicole Piasecki
Writer and writing teacher at the University of Colorado, Denver.
Episode: 838: Letters! Actual Letters!
Jill Viles
A muscular dystrophy patient and researcher who made crucial genetic connections impacting her life and others.
Episode: 577: Something Only I Can See

Host

Ira Glass
Host of the show, well-known for his engaging storytelling and investigative journalism.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 119.2k 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 States10 days 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 Kingdom11 days ago
  • Check the reviews

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kleenplex
    Australia13 days 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 Kingdom13 days ago
  • Cool

    It’s cool

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    )!‘ h xye
    Germany14 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the show's exploration of social issues but express concerns about the recent increased focus on political topics.
The storytelling is consistently engaging and thought-provoking, with many praising the emotional depth and relatability of the narratives.
The format and production quality are highly regarded, contributing to the program's longstanding popularity and trust among audiences.

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 wide range of impactful stories and themes unfold, often centered on personal experiences and societal observations that resonate with contemporary audiences. Each episode typically revolves around a curated topic, exploring everything from the human experiences linked to waiting in line or navigating relationships to the weighty implications of global issues. The narratives are presented in an engaging manner, blending humor and poignancy, often with surprising twists. Notably, the storytelling is intimate, inviting listeners to connect with the depth of human emotion and the intricacies of modern life, making it a unique listening experience for those interested in authentic storytelling that highlights both the extraordinary and the ev... more

Where can I find podcast stats for This American Life?

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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 19 years ago and published 474 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?

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What guests have appeared on This American Life?

Recent guests on This American Life include:

1. Evan Ratliff
2. Pablo Torre
3. George Papas
4. Kira Lillian
5. Jennifer Payton
6. Masha Gessen
7. John Fecile
8. Nicole Piasecki

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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