We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
398
January 8, 2010

Long Shot

Stories of people betting on something with very bad odds, mostly because they have no other choice.

  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript
Calvin Borel celebrates his victory aboard Mine That Bird. Image by Amber MacPherson.

Prologue

Host Ira Glass talks to Leo Paur, coach of a high school football team in Utah that hasn't won a game in two and ahalf seasons, about how he motivates his team to keep going after so many crushing defeats. Namely: You decide that you're about to turn things around. You decide that you are the miracle long shot team that will come from behind and beats the odds. Case in point, the 2009 Kentucky Derby, whose winner was the second-biggest long shot in the history of that race. You can watch video of that win here. (8 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Hasta La Vista, Maybe

In California, Maryland and Oklahoma, the governors can over-rule parole boards' decisions to free prisoners serving life sentences. In all three states this has evolved to the point where very few prisoners get released. For years Nancy Mullane followed the case of Don Cronk in San Quentin Prison, to see what would happen as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger reviewed his case. Though Cronk knew the odds were against him, he found it hard to stop himself from believing he'd get out. Nancy Mullane is the author of a book called Life After Murder and putting together a two hour documentary on other lifers in Don's situation. (27 minutes)

By

Nancy Mullane
Act Two

House Dutiful

When Wells Tower started to try to fix up and save his dad's house, he knew it'd be incredibly hard. Lots of people told him not to. But he couldn't help himself. A version of his story ran in the Washington Post a few years back. He's the author of the book Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned. (19 minutes)

By

Wells Tower

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
210: Perfect Evidence
Apr. 19, 2002

Act One: Hawks And Rabbits

This is the story of some teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of murder and served 15 years in prison.
325: Houses of Ill Repute
Feb. 2, 2007

Act Two: The Crisco Kid

When David Wilcox was eighteen, he set about looking for an apartment in Houston.
134: We Didn’t
July 9, 1999

Act Four: Saying No For 75 Years

Journalist Steve Bogira tells the story of Vincent Bogan, who said "no" to something once—a decade ago, when he was 21—and now has to live with that one decisive act.

Staff Recommendations

View all
334
June 1, 2007

Duty Calls

Josh's family didn't play much of a role in his daily life—until duty called, and they took over his life.

570
Oct. 16, 2015

The Night in Question

Conspiracy theories about the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin continue to shape Israel's politics and future.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email