A few years back, there was this Kleenex commercial I loved which emphasized this point that everyone has a story to tell - they just need someone who will listen. (And a box of Kleenex, of course.) I love that concept of making personal connections with all kinds of people, in all kinds of situations, simply by sharing our life stories. That's probably why, when I first listened to an episode of the podcast "This American Life," I was so intrigued. My dad had been a listener for quite a while and shared a portion of one show as we were on a road trip. I loved the way people directly connected to the story retold their memories and experiences. I made a note to look up previous recordings upon returning home.
After listening to a few episodes, I was hooked. Some stories would bring on gut-wrenching, tear-at-your-heartstrings, ugly cry while others would have me laughing so hard I was brought to tears. Even reading the excerpts in advance would rarely do justice to the plethora of emotion each episode would bring.
Early in our marriage, my husband and I didn't have cable and had run out of our free Netflix trial. (Think starving students.) One thing we loved to do for entertainment was relax and listen to episodes of This American Life. It was very reminiscent of our ancestors huddled around a radio in the evenings listening to shows. I loved the simplicity in listening to people's stories together as we started our own life of stories together. It's still one of my favorite low-key date nights.
So if you've never heard of the show or tuned in, I've included a list of some of my favorites to get you started. It's been around for a long time so, chances are, at least someone you know is a fellow fan and likely has a few more to add to the list. Listen directly here or visit their website to find more.
Switched at Birth
This is a great starter episode. There are quite a few characters involved in telling the story of how two babies were accidentally switched at birth in a hospital and grew up in homes that were very unlike the ones they were born into. As the truth comes, out once the babies are all grown up, the acceptance of these new revelations is hard to come by.
Babysitting
All four of these stories tell a different perspective of how taking care of others, particularly children, can often lead to unforgettable experiences. Whether it's from the point of view of the child, an older sibling, Macaulay Caulkin or the caretakers themselves, each has a piece that everyone can relate to.
Fear of Sleep
Listening to this episode gave me nightmares for days. A portion of the show is centered around things that creep and crawl in the night, but there are a couple of hilarious stories that make up for it. After listening, be prepared to sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite!
Fiasco
This entire episode will have you in stitches. Everything from a Peter Pan production to cops and squirrels is touched on to make you feel like you have a lot more control than you thought in your life.
Recordings for Someone
One of the more poignant episodes, these stories are unique in that the narratives were recorded, not for public release but in most cases, for a specific person. It makes the emotion more raw and the words a bit more personal.
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