Full Review of This American Life Podcast – The Essence of Our Society Revealed

Review of This American Life podcast - Join Ira Glass to Experience Real-Life Stories That Captivate With Humor, Emotion, and Unexpected Turns

If you like to hear real-life stories that trigger your deeper emotions and question the world, society and human behaviour, This American Life is your show. 

Hosted by Ira Glass, this award-winning series has captured the attention of over 3 millions of listeners every week, becoming one of the most impactful podcasts ever made.

Each week, This American Life examines a different topic, blending personal narrative, journalism, and interviews.

Why This Podcast Stands Out

This American Life carved a distinct niche in the media with an innovative blend of journalism and entertainment. 

It’s a podcast about what we call “narrative journalism”, that is to say, reporting that’s driven by compelling plots. 

Rather than just spitting out bland facts, This American Life produces episodes that shine a light on fascinating characters, fold in comedy, evoke deep emotions, tease out surprising twists and explore mind-bending ideas. 

 The podcast’s storytelling approach has really resonated with listeners. 

What makes this show unique?

This American Life is not an ordinary podcast, it’s an award winning show that has a real story to tell.

First of all, This American Life has an extraordinary weekly audience: more than 3 million people download the podcast and it is broadcast on more than 500 public radio stations throughout the United States. 

The show has also established itself overseas, where it is regularly aired in Canada and Australia. 

It has received awards upon awards, including seven Peabody Awards, for its excellence. And that’s not all!

This American Life became the first radio program or podcast to ever win a Pulitzer Prize. 

Since its debut in 1995, This American Life has amassed a vast library of more than 800 individual episodes, often pushing the boundaries of what audio storytelling can be. 

Each episode is an experiment in both format and content, and the podcast treats each episode as such. 

Their creative gambits have included documenting the life of an all-night restaurant over 24 contiguous hours, gathering a musical group from newspaper classifieds and letting the hosts’ parents pick story topics (despite the hosts’ acknowledged inexperience as radio story scouts). 

The show has proved unusually flexible, making episodes about everything from Afrofuturism to the tourism of Paris with the humorist David Sedaris. 

Notable episodes include Nikole Hannah-Jones’s investigation of Michael Brown’s high school in Ferguson, Mo., which made an eloquent case for school desegregation, and the show’s general approach to journalism, which has a strong stamp of authority. 

The podcast has also taken on complex economic issues, including a particularly influential episode explaining the 2008 financial crisis as it took shape, an episode that led to the spinoff show Planet Money, which has been successful in its own right.

From the podcast have spun off several showy successor series, like Serial, S-Town, Nice White Parents, The Improvement Association and The Trojan Horse Affair. In 2020, the company that created these popular spinoffs, Serial Productions, was acquired by The New York Times Company.

The program briefly made it to television with a Showtime adaptation that ran for two seasons in 2007 and 2008. This television adaptation won three Emmy Awards, before the creators decided to refocus on audio storytelling. 

The show’s reach also extended to film production, whether through Mike Birbiglia’s Sleepwalk With Me and Don’t Think Twice or Come Sunday, inspired by the podcast’s “Heretics” episode.

This American Life’s revolutionary power was recognized by the American Journalism Review as early as 1999, when the magazine declared the show “in the vanguard of a journalistic revolution.” 

This analysis has been proved prescient, as the podcast’s elevation has yielded an entire generation of audio programs. 

By challenging traditional broadcasting norms and highlighting human stories through its compelling narratives, This American Life has not only succeeded to captivate millions, but has truly transformed the audio storytelling landscape by setting benchmarks for what is possible in the realms of both radio and podcasting journalism.

Where to Listen

This American Life can be found on PodcastAi Chart, where you can follow its rankings and history. It is also found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Plus, those who love to read can visit the official Website, there’s even a store selling cool merch with the podcast logo!

When to Listen

New episodes release every Sunday, so it's the best way to spend your weekend listening to an excellent story.

Who Is This Podcast Suitable For?

• Curious minds who appreciate profound, rich stories.

• Individuals who are fans of investigative journalism and stories about people.

• Everybody who enjoys compelling storytelling.

• Listeners who wish to understand the world from varied perspectives.

Episodes We Loved

Hard to choose, but here are some of the most recent episodes we really liked: 

• Feb 2, 2025: Groundhog Day - E853 • 58 mins

• Jan 5, 2025: How to Win Friends and Influence People - E198 • 61 mins

• Nov 24, 2024: 848: The Official Unofficial Record - E848 • 61 mins

Who’s the host?

Ira Glass (born March 3, 1959; Baltimore) is a public radio personality,  currently known as the host and producer of the podcast and television series This American Life. 

In 1978, when he was only 19, he started working as an intern at NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

Over the next 17 years he became a tape-cutter, desk assistant, newscast writer, editor, producer, reporter and substitute host. 

In 1995, he started This American Life, one of the most influential programs of its kind. Ira  attracts millions of faithful listeners each week and has won numerous awards and citations, including the Peabody Award. 

His approach to narrative has been hugely influential in contemporary radio journalism.

Other Podcasts You May Like

If you like This American Life, you will also like these other storytelling podcasts:

Modern Love 

Presented by Anna Martin, this podcast brings to life individuals' own stories of love and relationships by revisiting the original storytellers.

You can listen to it on PodcastAi Chart. 

You can check our review here!

How to Get a Girlfriend with Connell Barrett 

A dating coach podcast of the genre in which dating coach Connell Barrett advises on how to make real connections.

Listen on PodcastAi Chart. 

Read our review here!

The Telepathy Tapes 

A thought-provoking documentary podcast that explores the amazing means by which non-speaking autistic people send and receive messages.

Listen on PodcastAi Chart. 

Read our review here!

The Oprah Podcast 

Oprah has conversations with celebrities and thought leaders to discuss resilience, happiness, and personal growth.

Listen on PodcastAi Chart. 

Check our review here!

The Takeaway

This American Life isn’t just a podcast, it’s an experience. Whether you’re into true stories, investigative journalism, or just incredible storytelling, this show delivers it all. 

Every episode is like stepping into someone else’s life, even for just an hour, and walking away changed.

So put on your headphones and start listening to this amazing show, because This American Life has discovered that the most fantastic stories are the ones which really happened.

Looking for more podcasts to listen to?

We got you covered!

Top Fashion and Beauty Podcasts to Inspire Your Style in 2025

The Funniest Comedy Podcasts to Listen to in 2025

Top TV & Film Podcasts of 2025: Behind-the-Scenes, Celebrities & Fun

Best News Podcasts 2025: Your Essential Guide to Keep Informed

Top 15 Music Podcasts in 2025: All The Shows You Cannot Miss!

17 Best Art Podcasts You’ll Love in 2025: Design, Culture, & More

Top Erotica Podcasts of 2025: Best Reviews!

Top Crime Podcasts of 2025: Thrills, Chills, and True Fear

40 Apple Podcasts That Talk About Books: Your Next Literary Listen

Top Educational Podcasts 2025: Learn Something New Every Day

Best Tech Podcasts to Start the Year (2025)

12 Government and Politics Podcasts you cannot miss in 2025

For Podcast lovers only!

Are you a podcast enthusiast who doesn’t want to miss out on the best shows of the moment? Discover them all on PodcastAI Chart! Explore the top podcasts from around the world in a single chart, with daily ranking updates and historical data. Check them out now!

Author's note

Have you ever wanted to create a podcast but didn’t have the time or resources? PodcastAI is here to make that dream come true.

With our AI-powered software, you can easily transform your blog posts, newsletters, or favorite news articles into podcast episodes—using your own voice, with almost no effort.

PodcastAI handles every detail: it writes episodes, generates show notes, creates eye-catching cover art, and adds chapters and transcripts.

It even automatically publishes your podcast to Apple, Spotify, and other platforms, while also providing social media clips and a custom website for your show.

Whether you're a content creator, business owner, or agency, PodcastAI saves you time and helps you connect with your audience in a whole new way.