Stories of people standing up for themselves, shaking off their fear, bracing themselves, and doing what they’ve been scared to do.
Leigh Guldig
Note: The internet version of this episode contains un-beeped curse words. BEEPED VERSION.
Finally
We start with someone getting up the nerve to do something that really, it would be nice to see more often — an apology. And not just any apology. Nancy Updike has this story, about the anatomy of this one particular and unusual instance of, “I’m sorry." (26 minutes)
A Brief Catalogue of Spines Recently Grown
We put out a call looking for people having to face something that freaked them out. Over two hundred people wrote in, facing big, life-changing moments, and some smaller ones. Here is a brief catalogue of spines recently grown across the country. These voices were collected by Diane Wu and Aviva DeKornfeld. (2 minutes)
Because You’re Spine, I Walk the Line
We turn to those who are truly spineless, and I mean literally, they are creatures that have no spines. Also featured in this story: the people who study them who, like us all, could sometimes use a little more spine. Producer Lilly Sullivan explains. (21 minutes)
Song:
Related
Act One: I'm Ferdinand. I'm Glad to be Your Steak Tonight
Act Four: Fighting The Previous War
Act Two: The Game Ain't Over Til The Fatso Man Sings
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Amusement Park
We head to some of the happiest places on earth: amusement parks!
Abdi and the Golden Ticket
A story about someone who's desperately trying – against long odds – to make it to the United States and become an American.