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668
February 15, 2019

The Long Fuse

People tossing words out into the world impulsively to ignite and burn over decades.

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The Timleck family

Toronto Star via Getty Images

Prologue

Prologue

Host Ira Glass plays a strange voicemail left by a 96-year-old surgeon about a letter that was written five decades ago. (6 minutes)

Act One

Humor Is Not The Best Medicine

Producer Lilly Sullivan reports out that voicemail. (13 minutes)

By

Lilly Sullivan
Act Two

Babies Got Bank

On his deathbed, a wealthy man in Toronto decides to make some trouble. Hundreds of babies are involved. Stephanie Foo tells the story. (25 minutes)

By

Stephanie Foo
Act Three

Meatball and Chain

Cyclist Mike Friedman said something to cyclist Ian Dille in the middle of a race that ate at both of them for years. Jared Marcelle tells the story. (12 minutes)

By

Jared Marcelle

Song:

“How Long Do I Have to Wait For You” by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

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Act Seven

MaryEllen Bowman tells Ira about celebrating her 22-year-old daughter Rachel Hala’s baby shower this week.
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Act Two: Dunk and Go Nuts

Producer Nancy Updike talks to her friend Mary Conway about the strangest-looking trophy she got in her years playing basketball.

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