About

Mostly we do journalism, but an entertaining kind of journalism that’s built around plot. In other words, stories! Our favorite sorts of stories have compelling people at the center of them, funny moments, big feelings, surprising plot twists, and interesting ideas. Like little movies for radio.

Ira Glass

Ira Glass started working in public radio in 1978, when he was 19, as an intern at NPR’s headquarters in D.C. Over the next 17 years, he worked on nearly every NPR news show and did nearly every production job they had: tape-cutter, desk assistant, newscast writer, editor, producer, reporter, and substitute host. He moved to Chicago in 1989 and put This American Life on the air in 1995.

How to Listen

There are many ways to listen to our episodes — on podcast apps, here on our website, or on the radio.

Podcast Apps

Subscribe to our show to get the latest episode every week. New episodes are available for ten weeks to stream or download via these and other podcast apps.

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Our Website

Our entire archive of 800+ episodes is available here on our website to stream or download.

On the Radio

This American Life airs on more than 500 public radio stations across the country. PRX, the Public Radio Exchange, delivers the show to stations. We mostly air on the weekend, but times differ. NPR's station finder can link you to your local public radio station. We also air on the CBC in Canada and Radio National in Australia. 

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