This American Life started as an Chicago Public Radio-based radio show hosted by Ira Glass. After more than a decade on the radio, it became a popular television show on Showtime.

This American Life revels in storytelling, which includes a variety of stories across the board: quirky, sad and scary. There's a theme to each episode, and a variety of stories that follow suit. They are often based on the lives of everyday people, although sometimes fiction takes over. It is considered one of the most popular yet unusual programs on radio today. The show airs on over 500 public radio stations across the country.