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259
February 20, 2004

Promised Land

For millennia, people have tried to reach a spiritual promised land by fasting. Jesus did it. Buddha did it. Monks and saints and new age gurus have done it. And, for for this episode, the late David Rakoff tried it. He did a 20-day fast, to find out if it would bring him any form of enlightenment. Also, contributor Starlee Kine tells a story about getting as close to one promised land as you possibly can, without actually going in.

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Marcelo Quinan

Prologue

Fans of movie musicals might know about something called the "I Wish" number. In many movies and Broadway shows, it's the main character's first song, in which they express the hope that will set the story in motion. Host Ira Glass explains it, and plays a few examples. (7 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Across the Street From Heaven

Contributor Starlee Kine tells a story about getting as close to one promised land—Disneyland—as you possibly can, without actually going in. (14 minutes)

By

Starlee Kine
Act Two

Life In The Fast Lane

For millennia, people have tried to reach a spiritual promised land by fasting. Jesus did it. Buddha did it. Monks and saints and new age gurus have done it. And, for for this episode, David Rakoff tried it. He did a 20-day fast, to find out if it would bring him any form of enlightenment. David died in 2012, eight years after reporting this story. We devoted an episode to him and his stories. (25 minutes)

By

David Rakoff

Song:

“Eat It” by Weird Al Yankovic
Act Three

Mystery Train

Hillary Frank with a story of a train ride, an overheard conversation, and two people seeking two different promised lands. (7 minutes)

By

Hillary Frank

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
62: Something for Nothing
May 2, 1997

Act Four: Another Success Story

Hollywood is all about the idea of getting something for nothing, and no show on the subject would be complete without a Hollywood story.
11: Enemies
Jan. 24, 1996

Act Three: Dave's Response

Ira reaches current-day Dave, who is a born-again Christian living with his parents.
147: A Teenager's Guide to God
Dec. 17, 1999

Act Two: Unto The Uttermost Part Of The Earth

The teenagers arrive in West Virginia and take a look around.

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June 8, 2001

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While the seniors danced at Prom Night 2001 in Hoisington, Kansas—a town of about 3,000—a tornado hit the town.

492
Apr. 12, 2013

Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde

Did a beloved family doctor with no criminal history suddenly up and strangle his own father?

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