This American Life is a weekly public radio show and podcast hosted by Ira Glass and produced with WBEZ Chicago. Each episode follows a theme through personal and newsy true stories. Apple Podcasts lists 514 episodes of about an hour each. Estimated downloads are 90,000 to 200,000 per episode, with a sponsorship rate of about $1,620 to $5,000 per episode.
A long-established weekly show with a broad, loyal audience and Apple rating of 4.5
- 87,617 Apple Podcasts ratings at 4.5 stars place it in the top reach band.
- Weekly hour-long episodes give sponsors a consistent, attentive listening window.
- Its description calls it the most popular weekly podcast in the world and a Pulitzer winner.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, themed stories, reported features
- Tone
- thoughtful, warm
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 58 to 70 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- WBEZ Chicago
- Categories promoted
- membership subscription
- Affiliate links
- Yes
The website feed text for episode 489 promotes a Life Partners free trial through Supercast, and no third-party sponsor appears in the titles.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
The feed is not flagged explicit, though newsy episodes such as '893: Testosterone' and '898: An Argument' may touch sensitive themes.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id201671138 |
| RSS feed | www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml |
Benchmark score: 88 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 427: Original Recipe | 2026-10-12 | 1 h 3 min |
| 899: Reaching Out | 2026-10-05 | 1 h 2 min |
| 898: An Argument | 2026-09-28 | 1 h 3 min |
| 897: Intergenerational Space Travel | 2026-09-21 | 1 h 8 min |
| 896: I Know What You Need | 2026-08-31 | 1 h 8 min |
| 895: Label Maker! | 2026-08-17 | 59 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 7 days ago, a new one about every 14 days.
Each week we choose a theme. Then anything can happen. This American Life is true stories that unfold like little movies for radio. Personal stories with funny moments, big feelings, and surprising plot twists. Newsy stories that try to capture what it’s like to be alive right now. It’s the most popular weekly podcast in the world, and winner of the first ever Pulitzer Prize for a radio show or…
About This American Life
This American Life is a weekly show of true stories that unfold like little movies for radio, according to its feed. Each week has a theme, and stories range from personal and funny to newsy. It is hosted by Ira Glass and produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago. The feed describes it as the winner of the first Pulitzer Prize for a radio show or podcast.
Apple Podcasts lists 514 episodes and 87,617 ratings at 4.5 stars, and the show has been listed since 2006. Recent full episodes run about 60 to 70 minutes. The feed lists 15 episodes, so cadence in the feed looks irregular. Starbooked estimates 90,000 to 200,000 downloads per episode; podcasts do not publish this figure.
The website feed text promotes a Life Partners free trial, but names no outside sponsor. A host-read mid-roll would cost an estimated $1,620 to $5,000 per episode. It suits brands that want a trusted, broad adult audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. This American Life can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about This American Life
How much does This American Life charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Starbooked estimates a host-read mid-roll at about $1,620 to $5,000 per episode, based on an estimated 90,000 to 200,000 downloads. The show does not publish its rates, and public radio terms may differ.
What is This American Life about?
This American Life is a weekly show of true stories organized around a theme each week. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced with WBEZ Chicago, and mixes personal stories with news.
How do I contact This American Life about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked, so check whether this show offers that route before sending a pitch.
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