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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

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790: You're It
Jan. 27, 2023

Act One: Every Day is Father's Day

Megan Tan never felt close to her father.
392: Someone Else's Money
Oct. 16, 2009

Act Three: Insurance? Ruh Roh!

Planet Money correspondent David Kestenbaum investigates the growing popularity of pet insurance, and what it reveals about insurance for people.
153: Dolls
Mar. 3, 2000

Act Three: The Boy Who Would Be A Helicopter

Kindergarten teacher and "Genius Grant" recipient Vivian Paley is the author of many books about the stories children invent and the way they play, and what it's about.

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.

589
June 17, 2016

Tell Me I’m Fat

Maybe it’s time to rethink the way we see being fat.

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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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