This American Life

855: That’s a Weird Thing to Lie About

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Unnecessary and outrageous lies that make you wonder — why lie about that in the first place?

Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.

• Prologue: Kasey, a woman who prides herself on her truthfulness, tries to help host Ira Glass figure out how to stop lying about one specific thing. (10 minutes)
• Act One: Producer Dana Chivvis talks to Liz Flock about a strange experience she had in 2011. (21 minutes)
• Act Two: Host Ira Glass talks with M. Gessen about a lie they’ve been seeing out in the world a lot recently — the “bully lie.” (15 minutes)
• Act Three: We find someone brave enough to stand up and make a case FOR lying. That person is producer Ike Sriskandarajah. (8 minutes)

Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org

This American Life privacy policy.
Learn more about sponsor message choices.

More Great Podcasts:

Mr. Windy's Running On Empty - Tumble Weed is Packing' up and Leaving?

Tumble Weed is itching to be on the road again. Northern Michigan in the rearview? Packin' up and leaving? Well, Summertime is close, ok I'll... Read more

Mr. Windy's Running On Empty - Tumble Weed is Packing' up and Leaving?

Tumble Weed is itching to be on the road again. Northern Michigan in the rearview? Packin' up and leaving? Well, Summertime is close, ok I'll... Read more

Robots Building Themselves On Assembly Lines.

Apollo robots integrated into Jabil's manufacturing operations, where they will eventually build themselves on production lines. Two AI chatbots speaking to each other in their own... Read more

PMS 2.0 1299 - NFL Combine Recap, Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, Justin Jefferson, Darius Butler, & AJ Hawk

On today’s show, Pat, Darius Butler, AJ Hawk, and the boys recap the biggest winners and losers from the combine this weekend in Indianapolis, as... Read more

The Dead Internet Theory: What If AI Took Over Years Ago?

Is the internet still alive, or has it been quietly taken over by bots, AI-generated content, and algorithm-driven engagement? In this episode of A Beginner’s... Read more

Who is Having the Most Impressive Spring Training So Far?

Talkiin' Jake breaks down the biggest injuries and updates around MLB Spring Training and gives you a behind-the-scenes retelling of his trip to Yankees Spring... Read more

GTA 6 Developer Rockstar Acquires New Studio! - Kinda Funny Games Daily 03.03.25

Go to https://kindafunny.com/chicago to grab your tickets!This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — go to http://betterhelp.com/kindafunny to get 10%off your first month.Thank you for the support! Run of Show... Read more

Gratitude

Host Jesse Blaze Snider is a multi-talented polymath, psychonaut & plant medicine man. He is an acclaimed comic book writer, award-winning musician, dynamic voice over... Read more

March 3, 2025 The Fashion Police have arrived in Split, Croatia. One Carnival guests angry over clothes hangers! Get a life!

Croatia is cracking down on shirtless men in public! No word on Germans in speedos! Carnival Global Ambassado now has to deal with a hanger... Read more

Older posts