This American Life
289: Go Ask Your Father
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In honor of Father’s Day, stories of sons and daughters finding out the one thing they’ve always wanted to know about their father. The answers aren’t always what they’d hoped for.
Visit thisamericanlife.org/lifepartners to sign up for our premium subscription.
- Prologue: As a kid, Aric Knuth sent cassette tapes to his dad, a merchant marine gone for months at a time. He’d leave one side blank and ask for a reply—but none ever came. Aric talks to Ira Glass about what it was like to finally ask his dad why. (7 minutes)
- Act One: Lennard Davis was always told to avoid his no-good Uncle Abie. After his father died, Abie claimed he was actually Lenny’s biological father via artificial insemination. At first, the story seemed possible, then doubtful. It took Lenny more than 20 years to sort out whether it was true, and he finds out the answer—definitively—as tape is rolling. (31 minutes)
- Act Two: Paul Tough’s father was a mild-mannered professor—until he suddenly left the family to pursue a lifelong quest: making contact with extraterrestrial life. For the first time, Paul joins him and asks the questions he’s long kept to himself about his father’s alien pursuits. (18 minutes)
Transcripts are available at thisamericanlife.org
This American Life privacy policy.
Learn more about sponsor message choices.
More Great Podcasts:
Discover the latest Ground Independent mobile antennas from Comet Antennas, showcased at Dayton Hamvention 2025! In this video, explore cutting-edge designs offering superior performance for...
Read more
Atout stratégique de l’île contre la Chine et pour la protection des Etats-Unis, le fondeur taïwanais de semi-conducteurs est l’objet de convoitise. Pour en parler...
Read more
Canada's Competition Board recommends giving international airlines domestic routes! Thousands of tourists in Israel are trying to make their way out of Israel! Carnival Cruise...
Read more
Justin, Rob, and Wos are here to preview Game 7 by answering seven questions as we head into Sunday’s game. They talk about what they...
Read more
On this episode we go over the fallout from Ethan's big announcement yesterday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ...
Read more
Ed Begley Jr. is on Celebrity Jobber with Jeff Zito this week. What type of work would Ed be doing if not for being an...
Read more
Step into the WHOO’s House Podcast with DJ WHOO Kid. Steve Aoki talks about his experience with Jay Z and Beyoncé! And, chooses Kendrick over...
Read more
Hello, media consumers! On this Friday edition of the show, Bryan helps Joel wrestle with a question: "Should I subscribe to The Washington Post if...
Read more
Podcast Playground Live