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July 2, 2021

There. I Fixed It.

Solving problems using very extreme measures.

Olivia Fields

Note: The internet version of this episode contains un-beeped curse words. BEEPED VERSION.

Prologue

Prologue

Ira Glass talks to Sam Ashner, whose debilitating fear of spiders was ruining his life. So he opted for an extraordinary treatment — the nuclear option — to deal with it. (6 minutes)

Sam's treatment was featured in the documentary series A Cure For Fear, directed by Lana Wilson and made for Topic.

Act One

Catching Deer When You Wanted Lions

When the United States Congress saw a problem — sex trafficking — it acted to eliminate it. Producer Lina Misitzis looked into how the law played out for its targets and the others swept up in the “fix.” (33 minutes)