There are so many different podcasts, but this is my time each and every day when I find out something new or hear about something I didn’t know before. I go on an adventure with and learn about new things just by listening! They also keep track of the ones you haven’t heard. Unlike some podcasts which stay in the same field, theme or area, almost anything can be the topic. I thoroughly enjoy the adventures of the people in This American Life. Thanks Ira Glass for sharing your seasoned podcast voice with us! Thanks writers for sharing all kinds of fun, amazing, inspiring, funny, creative, strange, educational and memorable things that happen with us!

This American life has been a fantastic program since long before the word podcast even existed. How Ira and his team continue to put together such a great combination of hard hitting investigative journalism and humor is remarkable and there is really nothing quite like it. I just subscribed because listener donations are critical to its survival, especially in this era of The Right’s war on independent journalism and public radio television. Thank you, Ira and, to coin a phrase, “please stay with us”. Sandy Furman Upton, Massachusetts

What a delight, every week, to be able to listen to this show. From the host, Ira (“This is Act One, Act One”) to the stories told, I am always impressed. Please, Ira, never, ever quit!

I’m only giving four out of five stars because as a life partner, I wonder why I have to wait until Sunday to listen to the latest episode when it’s out on Minnesota Public Radio on Saturday. Can you please make it available asap? Also, I don’t know if this is TAL, or Apple Podcasts, but even on Sunday night, it won’t show up in my feed. I usually have to wait until Monday, and then it says it was available the day before, but I never received it. Other than that, thanks for the years of entertainment.

Ira your interview with your mom was not cringy. Not even a tiny bit. You are definitely overreacting. IT WAS GREAT. TY.

I had heard about each of the events in this episode when they happened in the news, but to hear the narrative was truly eye opening.

Have never been able to listen to this guy speak. I couldn’t say why, exactly, but I find his voice very annoying.

You’re a seasoned pro. Your show is legendary. One thing that stood upon hearing your early episodes was the complete absence of LIKE! As I read the transcript while listening to the episode you used the word LIKE 93 times before I couldn’t listen anymore. Fantastic episode reported by a 60 year old man rendered unlistenable do to Valley Girl Vocal delivery. What is wrong with you podcasters? If I was conversing with someone who said LIKE in every sentence I would excuse myself and walk away. C’mon Ira, you’re better than that. At least you were in 1996. What the hell happened?

I just love this show! Sharing Old recordings and Reflecting on the relationship with your parents over the decades. Your response to them then and now. My daughter called me today, she was super busy on my recent birthday so we yakked it up a bit more than usual today . We had heartwarming moments., dealt with some plans for a field trip dodging any potential anxiety with coolness and humor, and even touched on a few sensitive issues and danced through them gracefully! I have to think this episode helped, she sent it to me when we hung up Thanks, Ira ( by the way, sorry to realize your mom died pretty young and I hope I hear more of your Father’s Day recording -with your dad again, I heard that maybe last Father’s Day and it was really a treat).

Sometimes I tell people that I have a crush on Ira Glass from this American Life. Now don’t get nervous I think it’s because you’re so honest with your ex listeners plus the show —“Talk to your Parents” reminded me of what I am going through as an empty nester plus I loved hearing about your outrageous dressing as a boy!!! I think you’re probably on the autism spectrum—-( I am surrounded by them !! ) I think my crush is that I would love to talk to you as a friend. Plus your life growing up in a Jewish home is so similar to the guilt and advice from Catholic parents —lots of love but they really have opinions about everything in your life to show their love. My kids call it Catholic guilt and won’t let me do it!!! Anyway Ira your fans want a photo where you look like Hugh Grant!!! If you need a funny retired Mom

What a touching tribute. It’s by far my favorite episode.

I love to listen when I am shopping, walking, cleaning, etc to hear great stories, learn more about something I don’t know, hear perspectives I have never considered and become more aware of other people’s journeys through life, joys, sorrows, obstacles and remembrances. Great show. The subjects vary, but I don’t think I have ever turned off an episode because I consider it boring, upsetting or irrelevant.

Thank you for this episode on March 8, 2026, the one about the people who are ordered released from ICE detention but not being released. I would have had no idea if it weren’t for this. ICE OUT!

Three biggest questions of Trump’s war against Iran: 1) Did Israel war criminal Netanyahu force a weak Trump to bomb Iran? 2) Did compromised Trump bomb Iran to help Putin with oil revenues & Russia’s war against Ukraine? 3) Did yet another Republican President force US into Middle East war by manufacturing false evidence, or to distract from Epstein sexual abuse that incriminates Trump?

The episode just give a whistle from the ICE trading whistle blower was so upsetting and raw. I learned so much and understand now the chaos of a bad situation made worse. Thank you TAL for keeping us entertained and informed.

This was such a cute episode of closing chapters in your life.

I have had a hard time getting interested in this podcast. Over the years it’s just been boring even when the titles sound interesting.

Love love this show. The stories are always right on time. I signed up to be a life partner, paid for the year but noticed I’m not able to get the subscriber only episodes. This is the only issue I have.

The first decade of This American Life set a very high standard for all other podcasts. The stories were often sublime whether they dealt with the lives of individuals living in quiet realms or big events of great importance. The humanist spin and literacy, often playful at times, was a joy to listen to. Slowly, by 2010 or 2012, the stories seemed to fall into a predictable line of hapless “minorities” being victimized by “the system.” Stories began to be told through a cultural Marxist lense that stripped the humanity away from all involved, removing nuance, forfeiting humor, and becoming pedagogy.

A staple. My go-to podcast. Never disappoints.

After listening to this episode, I am left wanting “Edward Dando: The Musical.” Gotta make it happen.

This episode was really unpleasant to listen to. Whose idea was it to make us listen to a child get stung and cry in pain? Ugh

Still a kid but I’m loving this always. Learning of the world ❤️

I used to love This American Life. But I have gotten very frustrated with their reliance on reruns. They advertise a new episode as if it is original material, but once you have downloaded it and started listening you realize you have wasted your time with repackaged old material. This has happened so often that I stopped listening. It’s a pity, because I still love it when they do have good new material.

TAL is a legendary radio program and I have tremendous respect for it’s full staff of interesting people and writers and musicians let alone the words that embody the spirit of the show’s most beloved staffers kindnesses in the epic story of their lives. I wish i could go higher than five stars.. if I could, I would!

The Trump derangement syndrome is so much less effective when delivered in dulcet tones. Please scream in terror, it’s hard to believe you are really afraid like this. Maybe cry, too.

Does anybody remember when This American Life told little stories to help you escape from the news? It’s not like that anymore, every single episode is either a rerun I’ve already heard or politics. I’m not saying politics isn’t important, especially in this day and age with everything going on. Even though politics is important I still need an escape from all of it. This podcast used to be the place where I could escape, but now it’s just the same as everything else. If I wanted to listen to politics, I would listen to NPR. I’m a little sad of what this podcast has become. Still going to give it three stars because it is still a very well done podcast.

Really? The person shouting “ICE is here!” is called a hero? The people following and being chased by ICE are considered “innocent”? First, if you have no business in the place EXCEPT to be a decoy or to interfere, you are “harboring or obstructing”. It’s none of your business and not your fight. Keep blurring the lines between illegal persons and immigrants. Keep “blaming” it on Trump when all the presidents have done this. Keep on.

Outstanding work by TAL Team, as always! Bless them for their work!

Where was this concern about ICE when Obama was using them to get rid of ILLEGAL immigrants?

This is a priceless interview of these brilliant, original and adorable sisters. 💕👯‍♀️💕 They are an impossible act to follow. I’d love to hear more kids.🥰 Thank you for helping me survive 3 more years.

If you’re a liberal that wants to stick your head in the sand and pretend everything will someday go back to normal, this is the show for you.

have loved the show for years but i gotta give them props. lately it seems like they will tell any story as long as its not about life in america

Fix this please. This has spammed the feed

It's disappointing to hear these special politically-focused stories, for example the piece on Venezuela, that so tightly align with the US political establishment and make broad unsubstantiated claims about the sentiments of an entire nation. When these claims are supported only by a single interview, contain no historical analysis, no substantive evidence, no polling--what are we to think? A large swathe of Americans believe that DJT's 2020 election loss was illegitimate, and it's very possible that Al Gore's loss was illegitimate as well. Would that have justified foreign powers kidnapping Biden or Bush Jr.? This reporting is seriously biased, does not even mention that Machado is right wing and conveniently capitalist--I hope North Americans will not proceed without critically analyzing it.

This American Life is the best podcast out there. You have your finger on the pulse of the very important stories and intense experiences people are having right now. Your journalism is stellar. Very unbiased, thorough, and you share it in engaging ways. Thank you for all you do to inform the public and care for people.

This show ticked my interest in audio storytelling and so far it’s my favorite podcast. the stories, the journalism behind the stories, the way the stories are being told and the less ads even with a basic podcast subscription makes it absolutely worth it!

Used to be a great show. Their now political fueled shows have taken the pureness of storytelling out of their efforts and has taken a seat at the back of the bus

You are immersed in a world that is truly, fair, honest, beautiful perspectives that open your heart and your world.

Dear Ira, This American Life has helped Americans understand who Americans are. That’s why we are asking you personally to lead a necessary and effective shift in public radio—now. Latinos—especially those of Central American/ Mexican Indigenous descent (“Brown Latino/ Latinos”)—are a foundational part of American life and the American economy. In states like California, Latinos make up roughly half the population, yet they remain largely absent as permanent anchors and authoritative voices across news, finance, education, and technology coverage. Correcting this is not symbolic—it is stabilizing. The U.S. economy will not fully rebound until Latinos feel safe again. Latinos are a major driver of consumption, labor, entrepreneurship, and tax revenue across every sector—regardless of immigration status. When fear suppresses participation, the entire economy slows. Permanently hiring Latinos in front of the mic and camera, in numbers that reflect real communities, helps restore trust, civic belonging, and economic confidence. Accurate representation also makes it far harder to justify wasting billions of taxpayer dollars on raids and detention that disproportionately harm Latinos and increasingly affect other communities. Those funds belong in programs that actually strengthen taxpayer lives—childcare, healthcare, education, veteran and senior care, student-debt relief, job training, etc. Public radio can lead this correction, and your leadership will make it permanent. Doing so will help prevent future harm, restore public trust, and support economic recovery with ripple effects across the entire nation. This is a moment for constructive, decisive leadership—and we know you are the right person to lead it. PS: The 3 star rating is a high rating for us because we deeply appreciate you and your work. However, your show does not yet hire Latinos in front of the mic and camera in the way it does for others. PPS: We’d also appreciate it if you nudged the Tangle team to cover the reality of what’s been happening to Latinos during ICE raids. The Tangle team presents itself as examining important issues from multiple perspectives, yet in the case of the raids and their impact on Latino communities, they appear to be willfully ignoring the topic altogether. At a recent live show in Southern California, the guest chosen to represent California described the raids as if they targeted only “criminals.” That portrayal is false. The reality—documented by reporting and firsthand accounts—is that innocent people have been stopped, attacked, and taken by masked, armed individuals who may or may not identify themselves as ICE agents. This reality deserves honest, serious coverage. PPPS: do yourself a favor and check out L.A. Taco out of L.A.; you’ll want to do a feature on them- you’re welcome xoxo Yours truly, Jules, The Editor

This never gets old. I can listened to David S and Ira all day long. AMAZING!

This once amazing podcast has become an ai scripted, mess of nonsense, it's like their stabbing an already dead person 10 times in the back just to watch it bleed. The host has made everything into politics somehow, and they sugar coat it and act like everything can't be destroyed by ice and trump and kim Jon ung

I always love a good story, but one that is true is even better. Learning through others experiences, living through others experiences, enjoying a life I could never have through others experiences, this is why I am here.

I have listened to every episode for the past 4 years. I can’t get enough!

Episode 871. He’s the most interesting person I’ve ever heard. That’s all.

Whether you’re looking for a new idea, to get lost in a thought, or looking for sound to fill an empty space in your environment - TAL is perfect for anyone. TAL will make you think, or pique your interest, in new ways. Absolutely recommend.

Radiolab sucks. It has always sucked. Their whole schtick is to eliminate any silence, between words and anyplace else. The result is an impossible, incoherent mess of noise and voices talking over each other. Unlistenable. It’s an assault on the senses and the opposite of good radio, in which pauses provide the listener with space to contemplate. This episode is just a jumble of awful noise, like everything Radiolab has ever done. Zero stars if I could.

OK, so I understand the podcasts need money to keep running, but a lot of this is just recycled content. And it’s super frustrating, cause you can pay $10 a month to only have access to 250 old episodes, or $100 a month(which is absolutely absurd) to have access to every episode they’ve ever made. Also, having to pay to see any explicit episode is the wildest thing to me. What do you mean? we’re not little kids, we don’t need to have an explicit filter on.

I’ve listened to TAL for decades and am disappointed. They covered family separation due to ICE raids as if it were a quirky little issue some families are dealing with. I listened to a few more episodes to give them the benefit of the doubt, but the other stories about these times we are in were vapid. In contrast, I listened to Code Switch about family separation and they nailed it, no “Tra-la-la, isn’t this quirky?” feel to it.

I’ve been a listener for as long as I can remember and I continue to be amazed at Ira Glass and his talented crew’s ability to invite me to explore experiences that I didn’t know I needed to ponder. From thorough, thoughtful reporting to unexpected interviews, I never get enough of this show. A must listen as a part of my weekly routine!