This American Life

Dana Chivas, a producer with a flair for storytelling, dives into the fun and chaos of the Iowa State Fair. She explores the exhilarating 4-H rabbit competition, revealing valuable life lessons for young contestants. The podcast captures vibrant tales, including the challenges faced by aspiring food vendors like Biscuit Bar as they navigate their first fair experience. With insights into carnival culture and the joys of community spirit, listeners are treated to a whirlwind of emotions and competitive antics that define this iconic event.

Join Josh Hamilton, an actor known for his poignant readings, as he shares Bernard Cooper's emotional tale about the bill from his father that encapsulates his entire childhood. Meanwhile, Jonathan Goldstein confronts the very bullies who haunted his school days, revealing lingering tensions. They explore the intriguing allure of mean friends, discussing how meanness operates in various social circles and even testing if kindness yields better results in the workplace. This thought-provoking dialogue on social dynamics and friendship keeps you captivated throughout.

Susan Burton, a seasoned producer and editor known for her work on The Retrievals, joins labor and delivery nurses Mindy Figueroa and Clara Hochhauser from UI Health, along with Heather Nixon, head of obstetric anesthesia. They dive into the emotional and painful realities of cesarean sections, highlighting Clara's traumatic experience of feeling surgery despite anesthesia failures. Heather challenges the medical community to address pain management inadequacies during childbirth, stressing the need for systemic change in healthcare to improve women's experiences.

Ira Glass talks with longtime producer Nancy Updike about the most personal stories they have put on the radio. This is a sample of the bonus episodes we regularly release to our This American Life Partners. To gain access to all the bonus episodes AND help us keep making This American Life, join at thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners.

David Epstein, a journalist and author known for his insights on genetics in sports, shares Jill Viles' compelling journey. Jill, a muscular dystrophy patient, believed she shared a genetic condition with Olympic athlete Priscilla Lopes-Schliep but discovered her unique diagnosis of Emery Dreyfus Syndrome. Their conversation delves into the emotional complexities of medical validation and the search for identity amidst genetic uncertainty. Epstein elegantly highlights themes of hope and obsession while navigating the delicate ties between personal health and familial legacy.

Join Connie Wang, a writer who opens up about her journey through postpartum confinement and how it reshaped her views on traditional recovery. She reflects on missed moments and the importance of recognizing critical opportunities in life. Meanwhile, David Kestenbaum shares a heartwarming tale of two college baseball teams, both struggling with lengthy losing streaks, as they finally face off. The blend of personal storytelling and sports drama reveals the universal quest for hope and connection during life's pivotal moments.

Naven Salem, founder of Edesia, discusses the dire challenges of delivering nutritious food to malnourished children amidst bureaucratic disruptions from USAID's sudden freeze. Diane Wu shares harrowing stories from Eswatini, where a clinic’s survival hinges on U.S. funding, prompting reflections on their impact. David Kestenbaum explores USAID’s mixed legacy since 1961, analyzing its successes and failures. Together, they highlight urgent themes of aid dependency and the real human stakes when funding frameworks collapse.

In this insightful discussion, reporter Mohammed Mhawish, who left Gaza a year ago, shares gripping stories of survival and resilience amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis. He highlights the dire conditions faced by families grappling with hunger due to blockades and war. Engaging with a young woman from Gaza, Mhawish reveals the emotional toll of separation from loved ones and the profound connections maintained through technology. Listeners witness the intersection of hope and despair as personal narratives illuminate the human spirit's tenacity during conflict.

In this engaging discussion, comedian Mike Birbiglia shares humorous yet profound insights sparked by his daughter's innocent questions. He navigates how these inquiries serve as mirrors, revealing unexpected facets of his identity as a father and individual. The conversation reveals the struggles of providing simple answers while reflecting on personal truths and growth. Tune in for a delightful exploration of parenting, self-discovery, and the hilarity that often accompanies serious introspection.

People immersed in chaos try to solve for what it all adds up to. Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.Prologue: A scientist who is used to organizing data starts tracking scientific meetings that seem to exist only on paper—meetings that might decide the fate of years of research. The NIH website shows one reality; the empty conference rooms tell another story. She graphs the chaos. (9 minutes)Act One: American doctors returning from Gaza compare notes and start to see a pattern. (28 minutes)Act Two: A woman watches her partner get taken in handcuffs with no explanation. Days later, she spots him in the most unexpected place. The coordinates of her life suddenly don't make sense as she navigates the bewildering map of the US immigration system. (23 minutes)Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.orgThis American Life privacy policy.Learn more about sponsor message choices.