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815
November 17, 2023

How I Learned to Shave

Things our dads taught us, whether they intended to or not.

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Valero Doval

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

Prologue

Prologue

Ira talks about the time his dad taught him to shave, and how unusual that was. (5 minutes)

By Ira Glass
Act One

Am I My Father's Trapper Keeper Keeper?

When Jackie read the obits for the man who had invented the famous Trapper Keeper notebook, she was very surprised. As far as she knew, the inventor was very much alive. It was her dad. Not the guy in the obit. (15 minutes)

By Phia Bennin
Act Two

Raised By Wolf

A father and son find themselves in a very traditional relationship. Until the end. (21 minutes)

Rick McIntyre told this story in his book The Rise of Wolf 8: Witnessing the Triumph of Yellowstone's Underdog. He's now published four books about the wolves of Yellowstone. The second book in the series is all about 21’s life. It’s called The Reign of Wolf 21: The Saga of Yellowstone's Legendary Druid Pack.

By Lilly Sullivan
Act Three

Storycorps, the Post-Apocalypse Edition

Simon Rich reads his short story "History Report," in which a father explains the sex robots of the future. And other things as well. (14 minutes)

Simon Rich's most recent book is New Teeth.

By Simon Rich

Song:

“Song for My Father” by Leon Thomas  (radio) & “I Love My Dad” by Sun Kil Moon (podcast)

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
518: Except For That One Thing
Feb. 14, 2014

Act Five: Happy Accident

Etgar Keret always had a good relationship with his dad, except for one thing.
457: What I Did For Love
Feb. 10, 2012

Act Three: Cold Stone Dreamery

Ben Loory wrote and tells this story, which begins with a duck falling in love with a rock.
153: Dolls
Mar. 3, 2000

Act Two: You Know What Mr Bear Would Say

A truly remarkable children's book just came back in print: The Lonely Doll, by Dare Wright.

Staff Recommendations

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July 11, 2003

20 Acts in 60 Minutes

All kinds of little stories that we ordinarily can't use on the radio show because they are just too short.

339
Aug. 24, 2007

Break-Up

For Valentine's Day, stories from the heart of heartbreak.

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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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