We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
858
April 11, 2025

How to Tell a Dumb American Story

A couple devises a strategy to get their daughter's killer prosecuted and to get attention for other Native families. 

  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript
A woman is protesting while holding a photo of a young girl

Carissa Heavy Runner holds a photo of her daughter Mika while leading a march.

Photo: Laurie Childs

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

Prologue

Prologue

Mika Westwolf was killed in a hit-and-run on a Montana highway. Her parents thought the driver might get away with it. The driver was white. Mika was a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation. (1 minute)

By Ira Glass
Act One

Act One

Mika’s parents, Carissa Heavy Runner and Kevin Howard, share recordings of their interactions with law enforcement. (8 minutes)

By Sierra Crane Murdoch
Act Two

Act Two

Carissa and Kevin take matters into their own hands. (20 minutes)

Act Three

Act Three

The county prosecutor explains why he let Mika’s killer out of jail. Will Carissa and Kevin's efforts pay off? Sierra follows them to court. (33 minutes)

Song:

“Old Dirt Road (A Love Song to My Home)” by Dylan Running Crane

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
244: MacGyver
Aug. 15, 2003

Act Two: Files In Cakes, Ha!

There's a book called Prisoners' Inventions, by a California inmate who publishes under the pseudonym Angelo.
651: If You Build It, Will They Come?
July 13, 2018

Act Two: Hole in the Wall

Producer Neil Drumming has steadfastly avoided one bar in his neighborhood because of the controversy that surrounds it—until recently, when he noticed that lots of people he didn’t expect to go there were becoming regulars.
62: Something for Nothing
May 2, 1997

Act Four: Another Success Story

Hollywood is all about the idea of getting something for nothing, and no show on the subject would be complete without a Hollywood story.

Staff Recommendations

View all
241
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.

387
Aug. 7, 2009

Arms Trader (2009)

The U.S. government spent two years on a sting operation trapping an Indian man suspected of being an illegal arms dealer.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email