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586
May 6, 2016

Who Do We Think We Are?

It’s nice to belong, to feel connected to others. But what happens when you realize that your fundamental beliefs don’t line up with the people you want to be close to? Do you bring it up? And, what does that conversation sound like? Including a story by Mariya Karimjee, pictured. Guest host Sean Cole sits in for Ira.

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Mariya Karimjee, photographed by Jenna Bredehoeft


Prologue

Producer Zoe Chace checks in on Tony, a diehard, conservative Republican and Ted Cruz supporter, to see how he’s holding up this week. Not great. (9 minutes)


By

Zoe Chace
Sean Cole
Act One

Whose Great Idea Was This?


When Mariya Karimjee was little, members of her family made a decision that would affect her entire life. Years later, she wants to know why. This story came to us through a podcast called The Heart. (32 minutes)



By

Mariya Karimjee
Act Two

Who Wants To Know?

Nema and Neda Semnani have extraordinarily similar first names – and completely opposite ways of dealing with what happened to their dad when they were little. (12 1/2 minutes)

By

Sean Cole

Song:

“What I Am” by Edie Brickell & “Slow Down” by Brand Nubian

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Act Three: I'm Still Here

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

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