This American Life

Now and again, I get temporarily obsessed with one thing or another. I was really into graphic novels a couple years ago, then I was really into France, then I became totally fixated on my bike (which is pretty awesome, I have to admit).

Right now, my slow burning obsession is This American Life, the unbelievably awesome radio show.


Ira Glass—the smart yet humble, earnest but engaging, worldly yet relatable host—interviews regular people as they tell hilarious, poignant stories about stuff that happened to them. Each episode has a topic (e.g., neighbors or fiascos or pen pals) and features 3-4 stories on that topic.


This American Life is so brilliant that there have been a few times recently where I’ve been walking down the street by myself and can't help cracking up like a crazy person. At one point, I even hoped (just for a split second) that the elevator would get stuck so that I could keep listening to an episode before having to go into the office.

The ten best episodes that will change your life:
Superpowers
Telephone
Notes on Camp
My Experimental Phase
Time to Save the World
Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Detectives
Americans in Paris
Act V


Download them immediately. You will love them. Trust me.