When a pet dies, to what degree can it be replaced by another? And to what degree can pets replace people in our lives? David Sedaris tells this story of cats and dogs and other animals.

Producer David Kestenbaum tells the story of an astronaut who returns with a very unexpected view of the great beyond.

David Kestenbaum retraces the steps of Steve Snyder, a man who found himself running for love.

Producer David Kestenbaum took issue with the entire premise of today’s show, and explains why.

Ira introduces David Kestenbaum's story with some thoughts about the challenges of parenting.

When health care premiums went up in New York State, a bunch of people got mad and wrote letters to the state.

Miki Meek tells the story of an unlikely alliance between an ICE agent and a group of undocumented immigrants. (34 minutes)

There are two tiny Spanish towns on the African continent protected by multiple layers of razor wire, cameras and guards.

Cody's parents try to get him to unlearn some of what AJ taught him—and it's difficult.

Heather and her girlfriend lived with a cat named Sid. The girlfriend showed all sorts of affection toward Sid that she never showed toward Heather.

The story of a con man, one of the most successful salesmen in a long-running multimillion-dollar telemarketing scam, who finally got caught when he was conned himself. Producer Nancy Updike talks about the case with Dale Sekovich, Federal Trade Commission investigator.

There’s a problem with having a Facebook account after you’re dead that you’ve never, ever, ever thought about. Producer Stephanie Foo tells this story, about Dave Maher.

Senator Jeff Flake breaks from the plan and speaks openly about the bipartisan DACA proposal to the media before the president has a chance to sell the deal himself. Turns out, that’s not what actually kills the deal.

Shalom Auslander reads his true story, "The Blessing Bee." It's about the time when, as a third-grader at an Orthodox Jewish school, Shalom saw his chance to both make his mom proud, and push his drunken father out of the picture. Part of his scheme involved winning the school's bee on the complicated Hebrew blessings you say before eating certain foods.

The government shuts down, and Flake tries to get the senate to ignore what the White House wants. Unsuccessfully.

Comedian Jillian Welsh tells Diane Wu about one of the most romantic—and stressful—nights of her life, a night that paralleled the plot of a rom-com in several ways. (16 minutes)A version of this story first appeared on the Risk! podcast.

Jonathan Goldstein talks to Sven Berger, a juror still hung up over an assignment he served ten years ago. Jonathan is the host of Heavyweight from Gimlet Media, which just began its third season.