628: In the Shadow of the City
March 15, 2026
The episode "628: In the Shadow of the City" explores stories from liminal spaces on the outskirts of civilization, ranging from Chicago's industrial dumps to uninhabited islands near New York City.
882: Give a Little Whistle
March 8, 2026
Former ICE attorney Ryan Schwank became a whistleblower after witnessing instructions to dismiss cases to facilitate immediate arrests and being ordered to teach cadets to use an I-205 form for home entry despite existing training materials stating it was not a search warrant.
208: Office Politics
March 1, 2026
Office politics, characterized by greed, jealousy, and ambition, manifest in diverse workplaces, from traditional banking firms to open-plan startups and even street vending operations.
881: I Want What I Want
February 22, 2026
The episode explores people choosing to pursue desires contrary to common behavior, exemplified by a six-year-old wanting to be stung by a bee to join his family's experience.
605: Kid Logic
February 15, 2026
Children employ perfectly logical reasoning based on their limited data set, often leading to conclusions that are perfectly incorrect, such as believing a neighbor is the Tooth Fairy.
75: Kindness of Strangers
February 8, 2026
The episode "75: Kindness of Strangers" explores the unexpected and profound effects of altruistic acts, ranging from fleeting moments of validation to life-altering mentorships.
880: What Is Your Emergency?
February 1, 2026
The 911 calls reveal a pattern of confusion and uncertainty among both callers and dispatchers regarding how local police should respond to the presence and actions of federal immigration enforcement agents.
851: Try a Little Tenderness
January 25, 2026
The prologue of *
879: A Christian and a Muslim Walk Into a Bar
January 18, 2026
Syrian comedians in the group Styria are testing the boundaries of free expression on a national tour one year after the fall of the Assad regime, navigating an unclear new landscape where censorship shifts from explicit political taboos to concerns over 'civil peace' and 'family values'.
The Americans Outside My Window
January 12, 2026
A Venezuelan opposition supporter, Teresa, experienced mixed emotions—relief mixed with fear and concern—during the U.S. operation that removed President Nicolas Maduro, as the underlying government structure remained intact.
878: New Lore Drop
January 11, 2026
Pete learned his seemingly mundane parents, who worked for the State Department, were actually CIA operatives involved in espionage, fundamentally altering his perception of his family.
850: If You Want to Destroy My Sweater, Hold This Thread as I Walk Away
January 4, 2026
A seemingly offhand comment made by a high school teacher about the future of friendships profoundly shaped producer Chris Benderev's perception of growing up, illustrating how small statements can unravel someone's world.
801: Must Be Rats on the Brain
December 28, 2025
New York City's appointment of a rat czar highlights the deep psychological and civic stress caused by urban rat populations, even when disease transmission is rare.
Christmas and Commerce
December 24, 2025
The pressure to achieve a perfect, idealized Christmas creates a high-stakes 'art project' where individual choices and inherent character traits become starkly visible, as observed in the frantic retail environment of Toys R Us on Christmas Eve.
877: The Making Of
December 21, 2025
The narrative of Portland as a "war-ravaged" hub for Antifa, amplified by right-wing citizen journalists and streamers, served as justification for federal law enforcement policies and a national crackdown on left-wing groups.
255: Our Holiday Gift-Giving Guide
December 14, 2025
The difficulty of finding the perfect gift often stems from the desire to seek parental approval, which can lead to complicated or rejected presents.
876: Bigger Than Me
December 7, 2025
Service members are increasingly seeking confidential legal advice regarding potentially illegal or uncomfortable orders, particularly concerning domestic deployment of the National Guard, according to organizations fielding these calls.
513: 129 Cars
November 30, 2025
The entire dealership's monthly profitability hinges on hitting the manufacturer's sales quota of 129 cars, with a single car difference determining whether they receive a bonus of up to $85,000.
875: I Hate Mysteries
November 23, 2025
The central theme of "875: I Hate Mysteries" is the human compulsion to solve the unknown, even when faced with lessons on enduring uncertainty, as demonstrated by the second graders' reaction to the sealed box.
874: Under One Roof
November 16, 2025
The central theme of *
873: Got You Pegged
November 9, 2025
The central theme of "This American Life" Episode 873, "Got You Pegged," is the pervasive and often erroneous nature of making snap judgments about others based on limited information, as illustrated by multiple stories.
872: Winners
November 2, 2025
The concept of 'winners' is divisive among staff at *
871: The Thing About Things
October 26, 2025
The episode "871: The Thing About Things" explores the strange, sometimes servile, power inanimate objects hold over people, compelling them to act in ways they wouldn't for other people.
844: This Is the Case of Henry Dee
October 19, 2025
The Illinois Parole Board, composed of 13 members, convened to decide the fate of 72-year-old Henry Dee, who had served nearly 50 years for a brutal 1971 double murder, despite his consistent claims of innocence.
An Update from Ira
October 16, 2025
The This American Life Partners paid subscription has successfully funded nearly 25% of the program's budget in its first year, but the goal is to increase this listener funding to 50% to ensure financial stability.
870: My Other Self
October 12, 2025
Host Ira Glass realized that people, including podcast host Pablo Torre, often construct and interact with an edited, fictionalized version of a public figure based on their media presence.
869: Harold
October 5, 2025
The lukewarm reception of modern unconventional Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani by the establishment mirrors the historical backlash faced by Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor, suggesting a recurring pattern when charismatic outsiders challenge the political machine.
286: Mind Games
September 28, 2025
A simple white lie intended to connect with a writer spirals into a confusing, multi-layered deception where the initiator (Lori Gottlieb) loses control of the narrative and can no longer discern the writer's true intentions.
868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
September 21, 2025
Immigration judges are experiencing significant pressure and interference from the Department of Justice, impacting their ability to conduct fair hearings and leading to the dismissal or resignation of many experienced judges.
867: College Disorientation
September 14, 2025
Anti-DEI legislation is reshaping college campuses nationwide, leading to the elimination of programs and resources specifically designed to support minority student groups, particularly Black students.