From its origin as a radio show through its evolution as a podcast, This American Life has told seemingly ordinary stories of everyday life, grouped together on a single theme. It’s a simple premise, but something magical happens when it all comes together: Stories of people from all walks of life have the power to surprise, delight, and change minds. The interviews and accounts are never what you expect, and they map back to the central theme in unexpected ways. Sometimes they’re funny enough to make us laugh out loud, or intense enough to make us shed tears. But the stories are always layered with an inherent humanity, unafraid to delve into difficult emotional and cultural topics. The blueprint Ira Glass created with this show continues to define and influence narrative podcasting to this day.

You can find some of our favorite episodes below.