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Full episode
123: High Cost of Living
Act One

How To Avoid The Everyday Irritations Of Everyday Life

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Jack Hitt tells the story of Charlene Riling, who nearly died, and who explains how life near to death can be better than everyday life. (21 minutes)

By

Jack Hitt

Song:

“California” by Quasi

More in Death

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808: The Rest of the Story
Aug. 18, 2023

Act Two: Oh Mother Where Art Thou?

Contributor Samuel James thought he knew what happened to his mother.
793: The Problem with Ghosts
Mar. 10, 2023

Act Three: Seance Fiction

In the 1920s, at the height of the Spiritualism movement, a friendship blossomed between two men with opposing views on the topic: Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
779: Ends of the Earth
Sept. 16, 2022

Act One: Exit Strategy

Amy Bloom tells the story of her husband, Brian, getting Alzheimer's and wanting assisted suicide.

More by Jack Hitt

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699: Fiasco!
Apr. 3, 2020

Act One: Opening Night

Jack Hitt's Peter Pan story continues. (18 minutes)Jack is a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and Harper’s.
549: Amateur Hour
Feb. 27, 2015

Act One: Theater of War

Fort Bragg Army base was suffering a number of unnecessary deaths — so they decided to attempt to save soldiers’ lives through the art of musical theater.
510: Fiasco! (2013)
Nov. 1, 2013

Act One: Opening Night

Jack Hitt's Peter Pan story continues.
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