This American Life

This American Life

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1 hr

There's what happened, and there's the story that gets told about what happened. Sometimes the two things don't match up very well. Learn more at This American Life.

All Episodes

This week, stories about people trying their best to turn themselves into something else—like a badger.

Even the best laid plans can go catastrophically wrong when humans get involved.

In hour two from Albertville, Alabama, we head into town, where a wave of immigrants has transformed the place.

The man whose views on immigration are the cornerstone of Trump administration policy — Attorney General Jeff Sessions — apparently came to his opinions on the issue from seeing what…

Spider-Man and other people with talents that cause them pain and suffering.

The story of Harold Washington, the greatest politician you've probably never heard of, and the political race war he set off when he became Chicago's first black mayor.

Stories of people who decide to rethink the way they've been doing things ... or try to get others to do that.

This week, blurring the line between animal and human.

More from KCRW

Another streamer? In this economy?

from The Business

We don't need an excuse to eat chocolate or cookies. Neither should you. And these are some of the best.

from Good Food

Data scientist and psychologist Gloria Mark shares the latest research on our diminishing attention spans and explains why our increasingly distracted lives can impact our health and…

from Life Examined

The Latest

Critics review the latest film releases: “The Taste of Things,” “Lisa Frankenstein,” “Skeletons in the Closet,” and “Suncoast.”

Every bit of ‘The Taste of Things’ is ‘scrumptious,’ says critic

Critics review the latest film releases: “The Taste of Things,” “Lisa Frankenstein,” “Skeletons in the Closet,” and “Suncoast.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Filmmaker Sam Pollard shares how exposure to jazz greats like John Coltrane and Horace Silver in his youth opened up worlds of creativity.

Filmmaker Sam Pollard speaks to the enduring allure of jazz

Filmmaker Sam Pollard shares how exposure to jazz greats like John Coltrane and Horace Silver in his youth opened up worlds of creativity.

from The Treatment

San Francisco made history when it began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples 20 years ago. KCRW hears from one of the first 10 couples to get married that day.

SF couple celebrates 20 years of being husband and husband

San Francisco made history when it began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples 20 years ago. KCRW hears from one of the first 10 couples to get married that day.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Composer John Williams received his 54th Oscar nomination this year. He’s known for music in blockbusters such as “Star Wars” and “Jaws.” KCRW looks at his smaller-scale works.

Inside Oscar winner John Williams’ jazz, bluegrass scores

Composer John Williams received his 54th Oscar nomination this year. He’s known for music in blockbusters such as “Star Wars” and “Jaws.” KCRW looks at his smaller-scale works.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Reality TV has long been notorious for grueling working conditions, but those in the industry say belt-tightening across Hollywood is making it getting worse.

Reality TV workers are burning out and speaking up

Reality TV has long been notorious for grueling working conditions, but those in the industry say belt-tightening across Hollywood is making it getting worse.

from KCRW Features

As medical schools move to pass/fail grades what impact will this have on tomorrow’s doctors?

Do grades motivate learning?

As medical schools move to pass/fail grades what impact will this have on tomorrow’s doctors?

from Second Opinion

This week on The Treatment, Elvis sits down with Oscar-nominated director Jonathan Glazer to talk about his 2023 Best Picture contender, The Zone of Interest.

Jonathan Glazer, Eugene Hernandez, and Sam Pollard on The Treat

This week on The Treatment, Elvis sits down with Oscar-nominated director Jonathan Glazer to talk about his 2023 Best Picture contender, The Zone of Interest.

from The Treatment

“Zone of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer speaks on the process of creating his thought-provoking new Holocaust film.

Filmmaker Jonathan Glazer keeps committing to provocation

“Zone of Interest” director Jonathan Glazer speaks on the process of creating his thought-provoking new Holocaust film.

from The Treatment