This episode explores the profound and often painful choices people make to embrace discomfort, desire, and emotional honesty — from a boy’s first bee sting to a comedian’s near-death from gluttony, an ex-lover’s quest for closure, and a judge’s dramatic courtroom decision — all revealing
Sign up to read the full summary
Free AI-powered recaps of every episode, delivered to your inbox.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Guest
Arielle Knight
narrative on This American Life
Mentions
Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.
People
Topics
Listen to This Episode
More from This American Life
890: Maximal Americanness
889: There’s Something About Hail Mary
676: Here’s Looking at You, Kid
897: Intergenerational Space Travel
128: Four Corners
318: With Great Power
Related episodes
From other shows on similar topics.
Hantavirus Lockdowns + Fauci's DOJ Deadline | PBD #794
PBD Podcast
534 - Think About the Simulation
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Introducing: Reaching Out
Left, Right & Center
270: Painful Truths? Ft. Joshua Bassett
Two Hot Takes
Best Of: Life in the Mojave Desert / Director of ‘The Uprising’
Fresh Air
Change How You Think, Change Your Life || Powerful Motivational Speeches
Your World Within Podcast by Eddie Pinero
Get summaries like this every morning.
Free AI-powered recaps of This American Life and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.