This American Life

This American Life

Hosted by
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

Lost Notes introduces a pair of brothers - one from NASA, the other from Motown - who launched an entire musical universe from their Hollywood Hills hideout.

from Lost Notes

Michael McCarty reflects on 45 years of success at his eponymous Santa Monica restaurant.

from Good Food

Fava beans are one of the most ancient plants and among the easiest to grow. They’re key in Mediterranean and Middle East food cultures.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Latest

This week, renowned writer and author Michael Pollan on the new science of psychedelics.

Midweek Reset: Michael Pollan on psychedelics

This week, renowned writer and author Michael Pollan on the new science of psychedelics.

from Life Examined

Southern California’s Kareem Maddox, a former radio host and Princeton alum, will compete in 3x3 basketball for Team USA at the Paris Summer Olympics.

From radio waves to Olympics, Kareem Maddox shares his journey

Southern California’s Kareem Maddox, a former radio host and Princeton alum, will compete in 3x3 basketball for Team USA at the Paris Summer Olympics.

from KCRW Features

This week Myisha and Jonathan Bastian, host of KCRW’s Life Examined, dig into the science of love and heartbreak.

Falling in love and falling apart with Jonathan Bastian

This week Myisha and Jonathan Bastian, host of KCRW’s Life Examined, dig into the science of love and heartbreak.

from How’s Your Sex Life?

LACMA has signed on as a partner in the development of Las Vegas’ only standalone art museum. Pieces from LACMA will be on rotating loan in Vegas once the new museum is complete.

LACMA teams up with forthcoming art museum in Sin City

LACMA has signed on as a partner in the development of Las Vegas’ only standalone art museum. Pieces from LACMA will be on rotating loan in Vegas once the new museum is complete.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In PBS’ “Art Happens Here,” actor John Lithgow goes back to high school to explore the power of arts education — dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing, and vocal jazz ensemble.

John Lithgow goes back to school to learn the arts from students

In PBS’ “Art Happens Here,” actor John Lithgow goes back to high school to explore the power of arts education — dance, ceramics, silk-screen printing, and vocal jazz ensemble.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

CA Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Green Amendment would ensure Californians have the right to clean air and water. Would it bring real changes?

Do Californians have the right to a clean environment?

CA Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Green Amendment would ensure Californians have the right to clean air and water. Would it bring real changes?

from KCRW Features

Erick Elliott’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton.

Erick the Architect is no longer denying his truth on new solo album

Erick Elliott’s (a.k.a. Erick the Architect) first solo album, “I’ve Never Been Here Before,” features big-name collaborators like James Blake and George Clinton.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Michael Pollan, investigative journalist, writer, and author of numerous books including “This is Your Mind on Plants” talks about his trip into the world of food and the new science…

Michael Pollan’s long and strange trip: shifting perspectives on food and psychedelics

Michael Pollan, investigative journalist, writer, and author of numerous books including “This is Your Mind on Plants” talks about his trip into the world of food and the new science…

from Life Examined