This American Life An Update from Ira
7 snips
Oct 16, 2025 Ira Glass shares exciting news about the launch of the Life Partners program. In its first year, it has successfully covered 25% of the show's budget. He emphasizes the importance of increasing listener support to ensure future stability. Ira elaborates on the meticulous production process that distinguishes their storytelling from typical podcasts. He discusses the impact of losing federal funding and invites listeners to become Life Partners, offering ad-free episodes and exclusive content as perks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Subscription Funding Shift
- This American Life launched a paid subscription called Life Partners a year ago and it became a major revenue source.
- Life Partners now fund nearly 25% of the show's budget but the goal is 50% to stabilize funding.
The Cost Of Finding Great Stories
- Producing each aired story requires sifting through many failed ideas and interviews.
- Ira Glass describes a typical pitch week where eight ideas become two finished stories after heavy pruning.
Revisions And Failures Behind Episodes
- Ira Glass recounts frequent interview failures and the many revisions needed to craft a strong story.
- He emphasizes repeated drafts, fact-checking, and days spent mixing audio to reach a final episode.