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Full episode
801: Must Be Rats on the Brain
Act Two

The Big Bag Theory

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Fifty years ago, New York City started to put garbage out in plastic bags. This has become the number one food source for rats. Producer Ike Sriskandarajah investigates the decision that led to the city’s rat baby boom. (10 minutes)

By Ike Sriskandarajah

More in New York City

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818: Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Dec. 15, 2023

Act One: No Sleep ‘Till Brooklyn

Producer Valerie Kipnis follows a group of people who’ve just arrived at their new home, a tent shelter in the middle of nowhere. (11 minutes)Reporting help from Jika Gonzalez.
818: Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Dec. 15, 2023

Act 5: Harlem Shuffle (podcast only)

One woman needs to find shelter for 27 young men in a matter of hours. (15 minutes)
818: Stand Clear of the Closing Doors
Dec. 15, 2023

Act Two: 150 Days of Bummer

Producer Diane Wu talks to an asylum seeker trying to hustle his way through bureaucratic limbo. (11 minutes)

Staff Recommendations

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465
May 25, 2012

What Happened at Dos Erres

A Guatemalan immigrant living near Boston gets a phone call with some very strange news about his past.

77
Sept. 26, 1997

Pray

Can the secular world and the religious world understand each other?

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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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