Episodes - This American Life

David Sedaris reads his new fable about a squirrel, a chipmunk, and a love that could never be. He's the author of many books, including Dress Your Family in Cordoroy and Denim.

319: And the Call Was Coming from the Basement

Oct. 27, 2006

Act Three: And The Call Was Coming From...the Listeners!

We set up a special 800-number for listeners to call with their true-life scary stories. More than 500 people called.

306: Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time

Jan. 13, 2006

Act Three: Bad Morning America

Davy Rothbart was on a 136-city tour appearing on morning TV talk shows to promote his book Found: The Best Lost, Tossed, and Forgotten Items from Around the World. Just before one appearance he had what seemed like a great idea at the time.

Act Four: Function Of The Heart

When Elspeth was a girl, she wanted nothing more than her father's attention. He was busy, a doctor, and distant.

321: Sink or Swim

Dec. 1, 2006

Act One: Mr. Central High

Susan Drury tells the story of Chauncey Julius, who ended up in over his head completely by accident. As a high school student, Chauncey decided to turn his life around, only to be overwhelmed by all the attention he got for his achievements.

318: With Great Power

Oct. 6, 2006

Act Two: Unwelcome Wagon

Host Ira Glass interviews the mother and daughter in a family who wished for years they could do something to stop their neighbor from all kinds of shocking behavior. Suddenly they get the power to decisively change things forever...and they have to decide whether they will.

311: A Better Mousetrap (2006)

Apr. 14, 2006

Act Two: Everything Must Go

Nellie Thomas sold ammunition illegally on the South side of Chicago. He made a good living—in cash.

310: Habeas Schmabeas

Mar. 10, 2006

Act Three: We Interrogate The Detainees

Although more than 200 prisoners from the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay have been released, few of them have ever been interviewed on radio or on television in America. Jack Hitt conducts rare and surprising interviews with two former Guantanamo detainees about life in Guantanamo.

320: What’s In A Number? — 2006 Edition

Nov. 3, 2006

Act Two: Not Just A Number

Captain Ryan Gist was given a particularly tough assignment in Iraq: To build relationships with a town where U.S. bombs had killed twelve innocent people. But first he has to apologize to the families of those who were killed.

316: The Cat Came Back

Aug. 18, 2006

Act Two: Political Cat

Ira talks about a specter who haunts the floor of the United States Senate and won't go away, who keeps showing up on TV and making speeches. That ghostly figure? John Kerry.

315: The Parrot and the Potbellied Pig

July 21, 2006

Act Three: Combo Platter

David Sedaris reads a new story that explores the age-old question: Can a parrot and a pot-bellied pig find happiness in a world that only wants to pigeon-hole them? David's most recent book is Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.

309: Cat and Mouse

Feb. 24, 2006

Act Two: Hello Kitty

A story by David Sedaris about what happens when natural enemies meet, in an Alcoholics Anonymous program, in prison. This story appears in David's collection of animal fables Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk.

321: Sink or Swim

Dec. 1, 2006

Act Three: If This Ark Is A Rockin', Don't Come A Knockin'

Jonathan Goldstein retells the original sink-or-swim story, the one about Noah and the flood. Jonathan is host of the CBC radio show WireTap.

307: In the Shadow of the City (2006)

Feb. 3, 2006

Act One: Brooklyn Archipelago

Out for a simple pleasure cruise with two friends, Alex Zharov was planning to see Jamaica Bay in New York City. But this end-of-the-day excursion, which should have only lasted 40 minutes, turns into an out-of-control adventure that left him lost, stranded, and bleeding...all within sight of the Empire State Building.

Act Two: The Thin Gray Line

In New Orleans, visitors can take a bus tour called "HURRICANE KATRINA: AMERICA'S GREATEST CATASTROPHE," put on by the Gray Line bus company. (The tour is also sometimes called "Hurricane Katrina: America's Worst Catastrophe.") It's designed for out-of-towners, but we asked a local to take the tour and give us their impressions.

322: Shouting Across the Divide

Dec. 15, 2006

Act One: Which One of These Is Not Like the Others?

Serry and her husband's love story began in a place not usually associated with romance: The West Bank. That was where the couple met, fell in love and decided to get married.

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Act Three: So A Squirrel And A Chipmunk Walk Into A Bar