My favourite This American Life episodes

So far, I think I have probably listened to close to 100 episodes from TAL, and it is a mixture of fun and deep thoughts. Though I do not agree with every detail of the show, for example, how they describe Germany in their episode on Eurozone crisis, the show is really fun and often make me learn. Here’s what I would recommend for TAL beginners, which is also for me to revisit later.

173: Three kinds of deception, act two. Deceiving Others.
Graham left his job as a well-earning NY attorney to enter the exclusive Greenwich Country Club as a busboy. Listen

385: Pro Se, act one. Psycho Dabble.
TAL contributor Jon Ronson tells the story of a man who has spent more than a decade trying to convince doctors that he’s not mentally ill. But the more he argues his case, the less they believe him. A very scary episode. Listen

411: First contact, act one. Error at First Base.
This was one of the first episodes I listened to, and perhaps about five times. A radio show in English was difficult for the first time. Comedian Birbiglia tells a making-out story. Silly and cute. Listen

432: Know When To Fold ‘Em. act three, Gin Rummy.
One of the principles of treating alcoholism is that there’s hope for everyone. You never fold your cards. But there are also places known as “wet houses,” controversial shelters for alcoholics where they are allowed to keep drinking. Listen

483: Self improvement kick, act two. Some Like it Dot.
A young idealist named Sanchez is chief of staff to the president of Honduras with an idea: What if you could cure all your country’s problems by just starting all over? Then he finds a TED Talk by a famous American economist, Romer. Listen