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
303
December 2, 2005

David and Goliath

Variations on an old tale, with very modern consequences. Cambodia is competing with other nations for the business of big clothing companies all over the world...but they've vowed to follow fair labor practices. Other countries end up with the contracts, and the profits.
  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript
David vs. Goliath, 13th Century painting.
So an official Cambodian committee sets out on a mission to convince the U.S. Congress to give them a special trade agreement. Also, a story as old as David and Goliath themselves: the tale of big sister vs. little sister.

Prologue

Lisa LaBorde has two daughters, and having grown up an only child, she can't understand why they fight all the time. Her idea of sisterhood is more like a scene from The Sound of Music. Wanting to create that kind of bond for her girls, Lisa decides to enlist the aid of science to see if she can turn these enemies into friends—in just one month. (4 minutes)

By

Lisa LaBorde
Act One

Lab Rugrats

Continuing from our prologue, host Ira Glass checks in with Lisa and her older daughter, Kennedy, to see how the experiment went. After a month, they've charted surprising results, learned that the girls aren't the only ones in the house who need to change, and found out just how much money it takes to get a twelve-year-old to play with a five-year-old. (14 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Lisa LaBorde

Song:

“It's a Shame” by Monie Love
Act Two

Dreams Of Distant Factories

Rachel Louise Snyder reports on the struggle to save the Cambodian economy. Right now, Cambodia is competing with other nations for the business of big clothing companies all over the world—buyers like the Gap, Nike, Adidas. But they've vowed to follow fair labor practices, which, while eliminating sweatshops for workers, also makes their costs higher. Other countries end up with the contracts—and the profits. So an official Cambodian committee sets out on a mission to convince the U.S. Congress to give them a special trade agreement, before time runs out.

With additional reporting by TAL producer Lisa Pollak. (30 minutes)

By

Lisa Pollak
Rachel Louise Synder

Song:

“Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference” by Morrissey
Act Three

Adventures At Poo Corner

Contributor David Sedaris uncovers a disturbing and hidden trend that's taking place where small-minded people collide with big retail stores. (6 minutes)

By

David Sedaris

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
183: The Missing Parents Bureau
Apr. 20, 2001

Act One: Better Left To The Imagination

Most sperm banks provide all sorts of information about their donors: Education level, medical background.
154: In Dog We Trust (2000)
Mar. 10, 2000

Act Two: If Cats Ran Hollywood

What do cats want to see on television? Steve Malarky, creator of the world's best-selling home video for cats, tells all.
343: Poultry Slam 2007
Nov. 23, 2007

Act One: Still Life With Chicken

Food writer Jonathan Gold tells what it's like to panfry a chicken—with a live chicken watching you the entire time.

Staff Recommendations

View all
165
July 28, 2000

Americans in Paris

David Sedaris takes Ira on a tour of his favorite spots in Paris.

339
Aug. 24, 2007

Break-Up

For Valentine's Day, stories from the heart of heartbreak.

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