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Prologue
Host Ira Glass explores a self-help cassette tape that promises to bring the listener peace about being single. The only problem is that it achieves this by having you envision your perfect romantic partner. (13 minutes)
Yearning
Artist Julie Laffin talks about the inspiration for her "kissing projects." Jessica Yu's film Breathing Lessons is about Mark O'Brien, a man using an "iron lung." In this excerpt, Mark talks about the yearning he tries to quell through the use of sex surrogates. Poet Luis Rodriguez reads his poem "Waiting." Writer Dolores Wilbur tells a story of wanting love. (20 minutes)
Sex
Audio artist Gregory Whitehead weaves a story of sexual discovery. And This American Life producer Nancy Updike makes an odd discovery about condom use ... or the lack thereof. (15 minutes)
A Wedding
Ira describes a wedding held in the dingy basement room of the City of Chicago's Marriage Court. (10 minutes)
Related
Act One: Weeds of Discontent
Act One: Jersey? Sure.
Act Four: May Be Hazardous To Children
Staff Recommendations
Harper High School - Part One
We spent five months at a high school in Chicago where in the last year 29 current and recent students were shot.
Harper High School - Part Two
Part two of our program on Harper High School in Chicago, where in the last year 29 current and recent students were shot.