
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 474 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureArts | |||

Three stories about the strange power inanimate objects can hold over us.
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* 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.
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* Prologue: Henry Dee has been locked up for most of his life, nearly 50 ... more
Ira Glass shares some news about This American Life
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What happens when people create alternate versions of themselves and release them into the wild?
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* Prologue: Host Ira Glass talks about a recent experience being int... more
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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.
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.
When you get criticism from opposing sides, you know you’re doing something right. Great show.
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
It’s cool
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #86 | |
Apple Podcasts | #6 | |
Apple Podcasts | #89 | |
Apple Podcasts | #12 | |
Apple Podcasts | #41 | |
Apple Podcasts | #134 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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
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.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with This American Life:
1. Radiolab
2. The Moth
3. Fresh Air
4. The Daily
5. Hidden Brain
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.
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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.