This American Life
Ira Glass
A theme, and a few stories on that theme.
509 EpisodesSeasonal12+Since 1995
Episodes
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The earliest episodes still in this feed, from 2026. Publishers rotate older episodes out.
- 1. 890: Maximal Americanness · 6 Jul 2026
- 2. 891: The Test Case · 13 Jul 2026
- 3. 892: Trapped on a Bus · 20 Jul 2026
443: Amusement Park
10 Aug 2026 · 1h 2m
We head to some of the happiest places on earth: amusement parks!
894: I Couldn't Help but Notice
3 Aug 2026 · 1h 0m
People dealing with new, glaring, massive changes happening right where they live.
893: Testosterone
27 Jul 2026 · 1h 2m
Everyone at This American Life tests their testosterone and compares results.
892: Trapped on a Bus
20 Jul 2026 · 1h 2m
People on journeys they did not intend — or agree to.
891: The Test Case
13 Jul 2026 · 1h 11m
The government sets out to prove that Antifa is real.
890: Maximal Americanness
6 Jul 2026 · 56 min
The people, places, objects, and social norms that make this country what it is.
Where this form starts
The broadcast desk
Wartime correspondence and Cavalcade of America established the daily explainer and the narrated history hour long before either had a feed.
Lineage is written by our editors, not inferred from listening data.
Origins
The Golden Age behind This American Life
Surviving broadcasts from the years this form was invented.
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