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855
February 28, 2025

That’s a Weird Thing to Lie About

Unnecessary and outrageous lies that make you wonder — why lie about that in the first place?

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An illustration of a duck looking at a rabbit wearing a duck costume

Yifan Wu

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

Prologue

Prologue

Kasey, a woman who prides herself on her truthfulness, tries to help host Ira Glass figure out how to stop lying about one specific thing. (10 minutes)

By Ira Glass; Produced by Diane Wu
Act One

The Real L Word

Producer Dana Chivvis talks to reporter Liz Flock about a strange experience she had in 2011. (21 minutes)

Liz Flock’s most recent book is The Furies.

By Dana Chivvis
Act Two

Bully Pulpit

Host Ira Glass talks with M. Gessen about a lie they've been seeing out in the world a lot recently — the “bully lie.” (15 minutes)

M. Gessen’s book on Donald Trump and his autocratic tendencies is Surviving Autocracy.

By Ira Glass
Act Three

In Defense of Unnecessary Lies

We find someone brave enough to stand up and make a case FOR lying. That person is producer Ike Sriskandarajah. (8 minutes)

By Ike Sriskandarajah

Song:

“Little Lies” by Fleetwood Mac

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Act Two: Commento Mori

There’s a problem with having a Facebook account after you’re dead that you’ve never, ever, ever thought about.

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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.

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Mar. 14, 2008

The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar

In 1912, a four-year-old boy went missing in Louisiana. Eight months later, he was found. But two grief-stricken mothers both claimed the same boy as their own.

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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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