871: The Thing About Things
This American Life
10/26/25
•59m
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Three stories about the strange power inanimate objects can hold over us.
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- Prologue: Nunzio gets caught in a kind of servile relationship—with a scooter. (8 minutes)
- Act One: Ted was six when he first picked up a rock from the Petrified Forest National Park. Nearly 50 years later, he really wishes he hadn’t. Aviva DeKornfeld talked to him. (15 minutes)
- Act Two: Heavyweight host Jonathan Goldstein leaps in to help a family, who are not entirely sure they want or need his help, get rid of their stuff. (31 minutes)
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Previous Episode
844: This Is the Case of Henry Dee
October 19, 2025
•60m
Thirteen parole board members decide whether or not one man should be released from prison.
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- Prologue: Henry Dee has been locked up for most of his life, nearly 50 years. Now, he’s up for parole. Reporter Ben Austen tells the story. (19 minutes)
- Part 1: The parole board members puzzle through the pros and cons of releasing Henry Dee from prison and cast their votes. (26 minutes)
- Part 2: Reporter Ben Austen continues the story. (8 minutes)
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Next Episode
872: Winners
November 2, 2025
•57m
America loves winners—now more than ever. But how do you get to a win in 2025 America? We watch someone trying to score a win in a game whose rules are being made up as she plays.
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- Prologue: Ira talks to producer Diane Wu about an informal survey she’s done with the staff of This American Life about a phrase Ira says a lot that includes the word “winners.” (8 minutes)
- Act One: Two people see one of President Trump’s first executive orders and get excited, and then get to work. (46 minutes)
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