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
509
October 25, 2013

It Says So Right Here

Everyone knows you can't always believe what you read, but sometimes even official documents aren't a path to the truth. This week we have stories of people whose lives are altered when seemingly boring documents like birth certificates and petitions are used against them. And a family wrestles with a medical record that has a very clear, but complicated diagnosis.

  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript

Prologue

Host Ira Glass tells the story of man in Florida named Lanail Hudson who it turned out wasn't actually Lanail Hudson. He had stolen Lanail Hudson's identity and had been using his name for decades. And even after he was caught and incarcerated, he refused to tell authorities what his real name was. (6 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act One

Doe-ppelgangers

Our story from the prologue continues. (12 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
Act Two

What Are You Doing for the Test of Your Life?

Huntington's Disease is a progressive brain disorder. There's a wide range of symptoms, but in the worst cases, people who have it can end up losing physical control of their bodies, sort of like Parkinson's Disease, and can also have mental symptoms that are like Alzheimer's or schizophrenia. If you have a parent with Huntington's Disease, you have a 50-50 chance of getting it. In this audio diary, a woman named Kelly has decided to get tested for the disease. Her mother has Huntington's and several of her family members have either been diagnosed, or are showing symptoms of the disease.

Paige Cowett of WNYC produced Kelly's audio diary. The story is part of a project called “The Antidote." There's more information about "The Antidote," and a video of Kelly and her niece Kayla, at the WNYC website. (12 minutes)

By

Paige Cowett
Act Three

There's a Signed Line Between Love and Hate

Producer Ben Calhoun tells the story of Josh Inglett. Josh was a college student from Portage, Wisconsin who was appointed to the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin system. Josh was everything you'd want in a student who was going to fulfill this role. That is, until Governor Scott Walker's administration discovered something on Josh's permanent record that they considered a problem. (28 minutes)

By

Ben Calhoun

Song:

“Permanent Record” by The Golden Dogs

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
96: Pinned by History
Mar. 13, 1998

Act Two: God Of War

In Vietnam, Jeffrey Harris, with one year of grad school, judged which soldiers stayed and which went home.
723: Squeaker
Nov. 6, 2020

Act Three: Louisiana

Ben Calhoun talks to a man in ICE detention in Louisiana about how he and people around him are following the election.
69: Dream House
July 18, 1997

Act Two: Blue Sky Dream

David Beers explains the gorgeous, modern vision that drew his family, and tons of other families, to California, and then what happened after they arrived.

Staff Recommendations

View all
429
Mar. 11, 2011

Will They Know Me Back Home?

Stories of people who've grown so accustomed to wartime that the lives they've left behind no longer make sense.

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?

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