May 8, 2020

Stuck!

During a time when a lot of us feel like we are living in a holding pattern, stories of people feeling stuck.

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Transcript

Note: The internet version of this episode contains un-beeped curse words. BEEPED VERSION.

Prologue

Host Ira Glass talks to an Oregon ICU doctor about his desire to help fight COVID in the country’s biggest hot spots, and his frustration over the surprising reason why he can’t. (10 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Act One

You Can Check Out Any Time You Like, But You Can Never Leave

Ira talks to producer Elna Baker about the time she and her siblings found themselves trapped in a hotel room with an unexpected visitor. (15 minutes)

By

Elna Baker

Act Two

You Can’t Go Your Own Way

Carmen Maria Machado tells the story of being stuck in an abusive relationship as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” tale. This chapter of Carmen’s memoir, “In The Dream House,” was read for us by actor Zoë Winters. (12 minutes)

By

Carmen Maria Machado

Song:

“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” by Nina Simone

Act Three

Cold Case

Producer Nadia Reiman’s family has been stuck in diligent isolation for weeks—doing everything perfectly—and yet a cold still manages to creep in. How? Nadia tries to solve the mystery. (7 minutes)